Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has blamed the government’s “bizarre” post-Brexit immigration policies for staff shortages which are contributing to ongoing air travel disruptions.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, the head of the Dublin-based budget airline said: “We have this bizarre situation at the moment that in the UK I can get visas to bring Moroccans to come in and work as cabin crew. But I can't get visas for Portuguese or Italians or Slovakian youngsters. We just need a bit of more common sense and a practical approach to how we implement Brexit.”
While airlines struggle to fill cabin crew positions, airports are finding it difficult to recruit handling and security staff, O’Leary explained.
Brexit not to blame, says government
Heathrow has been particularly hit by the ongoing travel chaos, although transport secretary Grant Schapps has previously denied that Brexit is to blame.
Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme back in June, Schapps pointed out that airports across Europe are facing similar issues.
“If it was just the Brexit issue, then that wouldn’t be the case,” he said.
Resonding to O'Leary's latest statements, a government spokesperson said: ": "Leaving the EU enabled us to introduce a points-based immigration system and we want to see employers make long-term investments in the UK's domestic workforce, such as training, wage increases and better career options, instead of relying on labour from abroad."
O’Leary warned that further flight cancellations should be expected, although disruption should ease off after the peak period.
“"I think everybody would be able to staff up and gear up on time as long as we don't have any adverse Covid developments," he suggested.