A secret ballot voted for acceptance of increases which the airline says are “up to 20%” and which will be paid this month. Pilots at six of the 15 bases, including Stansted, had previously turned down an offer.

Ryanair is however still locked in a battle with its pilots over union recognition. It and pilots union Balpa have agreed that pay increases should not be delayed by the talks, which Ryanair said were “proceeding quickly”.

Ryanair also faces another fight in Ireland. The majority of its pilots there have already agreed to pay increases following secret ballots at the airline’s Cork and Shannon bases. A majority of pilots in Dublin who are contractors or new joiners have already agreed the increases.

Ryanair had asked the remaining 35% of its Dublin pilots to vote by January 17 but no vote was organized. Ryanair claims the deal will mean its Dublin pilots will be paid 20% more than Norwegian 737 pilots in Dublin.