Budget airline Buzz is set to lose around 400 employees when Ryanair completes its takeover of the airline in April.

Although 100 redundancies were reported to have been agreed after the takeover deal went through last month, Ryanair warned it could close down Buzz if staff did not agree to new working terms.

Other plans that have been confirmed by Ryanair are:

• Buzz flights to be grounded for the month of April 2003, at least
• 12 Buzz routes to be terminated on 31 March
• Buzz fleet reduced from 12 to eight aircraft
• fares on all continuing Buzz routes to be 50% lower, with double the seat capacity
• increased pay and productivity allowances for Buzz remaining 200 staff.

The GMB, however, has warned that the remaining staff may not last long given that "Ryanair's predatory takeover is simply to remove the opposition from the low cost part of the industry" a spokesman confirmed.

(MB)