http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/flandersnews.be/News/070822_Ryanair
Ryanair suspends bookings
Wed 22/08/07 - Low cost carrier Ryanair has suspended all booking
operations for flights from 12 November onwards. The budget airline
says it's taken the measure because a number of issues need to be
sorted first.
The company seems to be putting pressure on the airport authorities at
Brussels South/Charleroi Airport, Ryanair's Belgian hub.
Ryanair says it wants to prevent a repeat of the events of 15, 16 and
17 June, when flights were cancelled due to a strike by security
officers.
The company wants the authorities to draw up an emergency plan that
would ensure that flights can go ahead even if there is a strike.
Ryanair is demanding a million euros compensation from Charleroi
Airport for the losses caused as a result of the June strike.
Scores of flights were cancelled and 22,500 passengers were affected.
If Ryanair fails to reach an agreement with the airport authorities,
this could be a disaster for the entire area of Hainaut province where
unemployment is endemic.
With 20 daily flights Ryanair is the largest operator at Charleroi
Airport and a major employer.
Many other people are indirectly reliant on the carrier for their
livelihood.
The trades unions have given a furious reaction to the company's
latest move.
They say that there can be no question of curtailing the right to
strike and stress this is a weapon that is only used as a last resort.
Is Charleroi the Belgian capital?
Ryanair is having to change an advert in Britain.
The British advertising authority has told the low cost carrier to
change its adverts because they are misleading.
At issue is the airline's claim that a flight to Brussels from London
is cheaper and quicker than a journey on the Eurostar, the high speed
rail link between the two capitals.
The advertising authorities point out that Ryanair flies to Charleroi
and not to Brussels, but the Irish carrier says this is splitting
hairs.
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