Ryanair is preparing for a strike by pilots in the UK during the busiest weekend of the year. A British judge gave the green light for actions starting next night at the Irish Budget airline, while earlier in the day a strike in the home market of Ireland was still banned.

On Friday, 1700 flights are planned for Ryanair in the United Kingdom with a total of 259,000 passengers. It is extra busy because many Britons have a day off on Monday. How many flights will be hit by the 48-hour strike is still unclear.

According to Ryanair, the pilot association in question represents a minority of pilots. The price fighter strives to let all flights go through.

An Irish court banned the 48-hour strike on Thursday and Friday. According to the court, the Irish Pilot Trade Union has not met certain requirements to announce a strike, such as the completion of a mediation process. The requirements stem from an agreement that Ryanair and the Piloters’ Association concluded last year.

In Portugal a five-day cabin crew strike started on Wednesday. There, however, the strikers were ordered by the Portuguese government to ensure a minimum timetable. Only a small number of flights are affected by the promotions.

Ryanair has recently been under fire again from trade unions who say that the airline is deliberately frustrating negotiations. Also, the price fighter would not adhere to agreements made in some countries.

The British pilots also want to go on strike for three more days in September. Cabin crew in Spain does that on ten days that month.