Ryanair Christmas strike may go ahead in Ireland, Italy and Portugal

Ryanair staff have planned strike action on December 20.

The budget airline has agreed to meet with pilot's union for the first time ever, but passengers may still face disruption. 

There were mixed reactions from pilots’ groups after Ryanair's recognition of the union. 

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said the airline would reconsider its policy of refusing to recognise labour groups.

Up to 117 members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association still plan to strike on Wednesday. 

Ryanair has sought a meeting with the Irish Airline Pilots' Association on that day, according to The Independent. 

Ryanair Agrees To Recognise Pilot Unions To Avoid Widespread Customer Disruptions Over Christmas Period https://t.co/XdTkQCggdH pic.twitter.com/32suSYZWnR

— Ryanair (@Ryanair) December 15, 2017

'Christmas flights are very important to our customers and we wish to remove any worry or concern that they may be disrupted by pilot industrial action next week,' said Michael O'Leary.

'If the best way to achieve this is to talk to our pilots through a recognised union process, then we are prepared to do so, and we have written today to these unions inviting them to talks to recognise them and calling on them to cancel the threatened industrial action planned for Christmas week.'

'Recognising unions will be a significant change for Ryanair, but we have delivered radical change before.'