Ryanair has been in talks with pilots since December, when it agreed to recognise trade unions for the first time in its 32-year history to avoid Christmas strikes. Last week the airline agreed that the Balpa union will represent all its British pilots in talks.

But talks with some other unions have broken down and O‘Leary warned investors on Monday that the airline was likely to be targeted by strikes at Easter.

“We have some jurisdictions where we are getting the kind of laughable demands for legacy-type inefficiencies,” O‘Leary said.

“Frankly we will never agree to those ... if we have to take strikes or disruptions in those jurisdictions, then we will take those. But we will not under any circumstance alter or reduce our productivity.” ...

Ryanair has met pilot unions in Ireland, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and France, with other countries to follow, and union recognition will be extended to cabin crew later in the year, O’Leary said.