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Ryanair chief operating officer stands down after pilot rota fiasco

Ryanair chief operating office Michael Hickey is standing down following the pilot rota fiasco which has led to thousands of flights being cancelled.

His resignation comes after the cancellation of tens of thousands of flights through to March next year because of errors in how pilots are rostered for work.

That has led to the disruption of the travel plans of 700,000 passengers.

As part of his role Hickey, who has had a 30-year career with the airline, was responsible for scheduling shifts for pilots.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said Hickey, who will leave his job at the end of the month, will continue in an “advisory role”.

He said: “Over the past 30 years Mick Hickey has made an enormous contribution to Ryanair, especially the quality and safety of our engineering and operations functions.

“He will be a hard act to replace, which is why we are grateful he has agreed to continue in an advisory role to smooth the transition to a successor and to complete a number of large projects he is currently working on including a multi-year engine maintenance contract and new hangar projects in Seville and Madrid.”

More:

Ryanair complies with CAA demands on flyers’ rights

Ryanair to cancel 18,000 flights this winter

O’Leary pleads with pilots not to quit Ryanair

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