European pilot group says Ryanair base closures 'declaration of war'

DUBLIN (Reuters) - A pan-European body representing Ryanair pilot unions on Friday described the Irish airline's decision to close two bases and reduce its capacity this winter as a "declaration of war" on unions.

"We call on Ryanair ... to change its confrontational and counterproductive approach," European Cockpit Association President Dirk Polloczek said in a statement. "It is hard to see how Ryanair can realistically expect to reach agreements with its unions with such threats hanging in the air."

(Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Susan Fenton)