Ryanair advertises jobs for those with ‘right to live and work in EU’

Exclusive: First requirement for cabin crew: ‘Applicants must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU’

Being “hardworking, flexible [with] an outgoing and friendly personality” is all very well, but British citizens would soon not qualify to work as cabin crew with​ Ryanair under the conditions of a new job advert. They appear to fall at the first hurdle because of Brexit.

Europe’s biggest budget airline has a recruitment day in Manchester on 22 February 2020.

Ryanair is seeking applicants who are “adaptable and happy to work a shift roster”. They must “enjoy dealing with the public and have the ability to provide excellent customer service with a ‘can do’ attitude”.

But British citizens would be unlikely to be able to meet the first requirement for anyone seeking a “highly competitive salary” and “amazing staff travel benefits” once the Brexit transition period ends in 11 months’ time.

The first demand is: “Applicants must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU.”

The airline explains: “You must be flexible to relocate as you could operate from any European base within Ryanair Holdings PLC subject to operational requirements.”

However, Ryanair insists British passport holders will continue to be eligible to work for the company whatever restrictions Brexit may place on their rights to work within the EU.

A spokesperson for the airline told The Independent: “Currently, we require all cabin crew applicants to have the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU. However, we will revise and update this requirement before the Brexit transition period ends on 31st December 2020.”

Ryanair has dozens of bases across the European Union, and often assigns crew to work from airports in different countries.

British passport holders can travel and work anywhere in the EU until the end of 2020. But after that they will lose the right as freedom of movement ends.

Non-UK citizens with the right to remain will be able to fulfil the requirement beyond the end of the year.