Ryanair faces pilot union Cockpit backlash over tariff talks and Berlin base closure

German pilot unions, led by the Cockpit association, accuse Ryanair of using disciplinary measures against members of the negotiation commission during ongoing tariff talks, saying the actions erode trust in a fair bargaining process. The unions announced they will now have the negotiations overseen by professional negotiators and legal advisers, with Cockpit chief Andreas Pinheiro stating, “The union Cockpit now lets the negotiations be accompanied by professional negotiators and legal advisors.”

At the same time Ryanair confirmed plans to close its Berlin base in the autumn and to cut flight capacity, a move the unions view as punitive pressure linked to resistance against new working‑time rules. Industry observers warn that the combined effect of the labour dispute and base closure could disrupt fleet scheduling, crew planning and overall service reliability.