European pilots are calling for Irish LCC Ryanair to reverse its decision to close bases in Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Bremen in Germany, as well as to reduce the number of aircraft based at Niederrhein in Germany in order to ensure progress in talks with unions. 
On Oct. 1, Ryanair lowered its full-year profit guidance and said it planned to close two of its European bases starting Nov. 5—at Eindhoven where four Boeing 737-800s are based and Bremen, Germany, where it has two 737-800s based. It also said it would cut back operations at Niederrhein, Germany to three aircraft from five.
That announcement followed the threat of a reduction in Ryanair’s Dublin-based fleet, which the company backtracked on after reaching an agreement with Irish pilots’ union IALPA.
The European Cockpit Association (ECA) said base closures and fleet reductions “are seen as a declaration of war to the crew across the whole network” in an Oct. 12 statement following a meeting of the presidents of European pilot unions and associations in Vienna.  
The ECA added: “There is concern that this latest development will seriously exacerbate the recent deterioration in the relationship between the airline and its pilots and cabin crew, which has already seen strike action in some countries.