Ryanair looks set to meet with unions representing pilots threatening strike action next Wednesday.
Despite once saying he'd 'cut off his hand' before recognising trade unions, the airlines boss Michael O'Leary looks set to go back on that claim as he aims to avoid the action which is due to take place 5 days before Christmas.
Irish pilots had announced they'd walk off the job in the row about negotiating rights.
However, a statement this morning confirms Michael O'Leary wants to avoid the action.
He said: "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.
"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."
