Nouvelles Ryanair

News Release

15.10.10

Ryanair Rejects French Union Lies on Marseille Base

Ryanair today (15^th Oct) rejected the false claims of the UNAC and SNPL by confirming yet again that its Flight Crews fully comply with European Regulations on Transport Workers which allow all mobile transport workers to pay income tax and social insurance in the country they work (which in Ryanair’s case is Ireland because they work on Irish registered aircraft which are defined as Irish territory) or where their employer is resident and they are physically paid (which again in Ryanair’s case is Ireland).

The French unions, who are as usual bringing France transport to its knees, have achieved nothing by these actions other than the closure of Ryanair’s Marseille base, the loss of over 1m passengers at Marseille Airport and over 1,000 French jobs which supported these passengers and visitors.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said:

“Ryanair and its crews pay their income tax and social taxes in Ireland in full compliance with the EU Regulations on Transport Workers. As usual these trade unions have lost yet again. Their misguided actions will cause the loss of up to 1,000 jobs in Marseille, and since our pilots and cabin crew will move to Spain, Italy and Lithuania the French State will receive not one cent in taxes. Ryanair will continue to fly to Marseille and 24 other French Airports – and we will continue to offer lower fares and competition to the high fares Air France.

Ryanair will not be blackmailed by these stupid French unions who seek only to protect Air France’s high fares, even if it means the loss of competition, visitors and up to 1,000 French jobs.”