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Once again RyanAir has hit the headlines with regard to both customer care and it's safety record. With filthy toilets, dirty plains and the overriding of the industry accepted rules that the Captain of the plane has the last word when it comes to taking off, Channel 4 programme Dispatches screened on Monday 13th February 2006; lifted the lid on can of worms at Ryan Air! While it is unclear as to the true extent that passenger safety is being compromised by the budget airline company, the GMB have raised concerns before with regard to the company's demands for a 25 minute turn-around time at airports and the stress that is putting staff under. So much so, that incidents of passengers not being checked properly when they board the aircraft has come to light and raised concerns at the apparent ease with which people may be able to board their planes without authority. In a press release issued this week, the GMB state: ' Andrew Dismore MP for Hendon has agreed to put the questions on behalf of GMB and its members working at and traveling in and out of airports where the airline operates. GMB members work in almost all areas of Britain's airport many of them at Stansted. They work on the ground handling contract that services RyanAir flights and are subject to pressure brought on by the airline to meet tight turnaround times and many other aspects dictated by the contract.' GMB has called on the Department of Transport, CAA and BAA to investigate the allegations of the Dispatches Program. Ed Blissett, GMB London Regional Secretary responsible for Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick said, "The first responsibility of all airlines is the safety of their passengers, aircrew and airport personnel and users. GMB members, whether they are working for RyanAir directly or in directly or traveling with the airline or airports in Britain or abroad where the airline operators are effected by the operational and safety standards of the company. What are the authorities waiting for before they take action to ensure that Ryanair work with safety as their first aim." Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, was founded in 1985 by Irish businessman Tony Ryan. It operates 270 low-fare routes to 21 European countries. Two Dispatches undercover reporters spent five months secretly filming Ryanair's training programme and onboard flights as members of the cabin crew . But the response on the company's website was cavalier at best and a cynical piece of marketing at worst, offering as it did 'free' seats on flights from February through April: Commenting on this evening's Dispatches programme, Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary said: "Ryanair operates to the highest safety standards in Europe. The fact that a 5 month undercover documentary could not produce evidence of any breaches of safety or security policies, bears witness to the safety and security compliance of Ryanair's operations, and the outstanding service that is provided to our 40 million passengers annually by the 3,500 professionals who work here. The refusal of the Dispatches programme to accept Ryanair's offers of an interview and their refusal to run Ryanair's statement without editing it makes it clear that it is the Dispatches programme that had something to hide, not Ryanair. As always Ryanair will let the traveling public decide. We will release 3 million free seats at midnight on our website at www.ryanair.com for travel during the months of February, March and April. All passengers have to pay will be the airport taxes and charges. The airline is confident that the travelling public will continue to support and enjoy Ryanair's service across Europe". Channel 4 asks the serious question, would you put poor service before cheap flights? Perhaps the real question should relate to putting profit before safety! see also: Ryanair Policies Jeopardise Air Safety source: GMB Channel 4 |
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