Ryanair pilots to strike for a fourth day

Sixteen flights to and from the Republic of Ireland were grounded on Tuesday due to strike action

Irish based Ryanair pilots will strike for a fourth day next Friday.

Their union, Fórsa, confirmed on Wednesday that further strike action would take place unless the airline's "management changed tack".

Fórsa said that it believed Ryanair's decision to cut its Dublin-based fleet from 30 to 24 planes, was "reckless and unnecessary".

The union added that the airline's "provocative" announcement was "likely to harden pilots' resolve".

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Approximately 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew have been given 90 days' notice.

Ryanair blamed their announcement on Wednesday on a downturn in forward bookings and airfares in the Republic of Ireland, partly as a result of recent rolling strikes by Irish pilots.

Fórsa said they wrote to Ryanair on 20 July to said "they remained available for negotiations".

The union has since said that they have received no response from the airline.

Fórsa said on Wednesday that despite the lack of response, they "remain available for talks".