Ryanair Pilot Strike Cancels Flights

Low-cost airline Ryanair canceled flights Friday as a 24 hour pilot strike went ahead, affecting passengers in the UK and Ireland.

Ryanair issued an apology to affected customers on Twitter after the airline was forced to cancel 24 of 290 flights on Friday.

"We call on Forsa [an Irish trade union] to cancel the 3rd strike [next Tuesday] which is supported by less than 25% of our Irish pilots. "Our pilots should resolve these issues through our working group and not disrupt any more customer holidays," Express.co.uk reported.

Pilots are in dispute with the airline over promotions and seniority.

A statement by the pilot union confirmed Thursday night, "The Irish Airline Pilots' Association branch of F?rsa, gave notice that it intends to stage two further one-day pilot strikes in Ryanair commencing at 1a.m. on Friday July 20, and at 1a.m. on Tuesday July 24."

Friday's action marked the second the pilots have made, with 30 flights canceled last week in the first strike, affecting 5000 passengers.

However, this action is small compared to cabin crew strikes which will hit passengers next week.

Cabin crew from Belgium, Portugal and Spain will walk out for 48 hours on 25 and 26 July.

Flights to and from the three countries will be hugely disrupted over the two days as British holidaymakers head abroad for the summer holidays.