The low-cost carrier said the move would affect around 50,000 passengers flying to Belgium, Portugal and Spain where staff are due to stage walkouts over Wednesday and Thursday (July 25-26).

Passengers have been contacted and should travel as planned if they do not receive notification by email or text message ahead of their departure.

https://twitter.com/Ryanair/status/1019575833709694976

In a statement, Ryanair said the cancellations were “deeply regretted” and would affect around 12% of customers travelling on Wednesday and Thursday.

Customers have been offered alternative flights seven days prior or after July 25-26, or a full refund.

The strikes will hit up 200 flights to and from Spain, 50 to and from Portugal and 50 to and from Belgium.

Ryanair chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said the strokes were “entirely unjustified” and would “achieve nothing other than disrupt holidays... and benefit competitors”.

Jacobs added Ryanair “sincerely apologised” to all affected passengers for the disruption the airline “did its utmost to avoid”.

The strikes come after separate action by Ryanair’s Irish-based pilots. Negotiations are ongoing with other unions to avert further cabin crew and ground staff walkouts.

Ryanair moved to recognise unions late last year and into 2018.