Buzz is here to stay

The move came after Ryanair said that enough of Buzz's workers had accepted new contracts, with 90% of the airline's pilots signing up to the new deal.

Ryanair had given the Buzz workers it had chosen to retain until last Friday to accept the new conditions.

Ryanair agreed to buy loss-making Buzz from its Dutch parent KLM in January, but chief executive Michael O'Leary had said he would shut Buzz if not enough workers signed up.

The restructured Buzz will employ about 170 workers and operate 8 planes carrying 3 million passengers a year.

The new services will begin on 1 May, and Ryanair said former Buzz passengers would be offered flights during May on these services at half the new Ryanair fares.

Drastic measures

Ryanair had said last month it would suspend Buzz flights during April after it had taken full control.

Staff have been forced to sign new contracts because they feared for their jobs, which is outrageous in this day and age Paul Kenny, GMB union

The restructuring measures have included cutting half of Buzz's routes and making two thirds of the carrier's workforce redundant.

Ryanair said the drastic steps were needed if the loss-making airline was to have a future.

"Buzz is currently losing over one million euros a week and KLM have confirmed their intention to close it down if the sale to Ryanair doesn't proceed," Mr O'Leary said.

"These announcements today effectively completes the turnaround and reorganisation of the loss-making Buzz operation.

"The disposal by KLM UK is due to be completed on 1 April next, and we remain hopeful that the various regulatory authorities will grant their approval on or before that date so that the core operation and over 170 jobs can be saved.

But unions remained unhappy at Ryanair's actions.