The move is part of the airline’s ongoing no-deal Brexit preparations. EU regulations stipulate airlines operating throughout the union must be majority EU-owned to hold a European AOC, or air operator certificate.

In a trading update issued on Monday morning (March 11), Ryanair confirmed its board on Friday (March 8) passed a number of resolutions to mitigate the effects of a no-deal or “hard” Brexit, which will take effect in the event no deal is agreed before March 29.

“Ryanair Holdings plc must take steps to ensure that, in the event of a no-deal or ‘hard’ Brexit, the company (and therefore its subsidiary EU airlines) will remain majority EU-owned and controlled,” said the airline, adding such a move was necessary to ensure “continued compliance” with EU airline ownership and control requirements.

Should there be no deal, the airline’s board has resolved to treat all shares held by non-EU (including UK) as “restricted shares”, and bar holders of restricted shares from attending, speaking or voting at any future general meetings of the airline.

These resolutions, said Ryanair, will remain in place until there are no risk to the airline’s AOCs relating to EU regulations.