Ryanair has carried out its threat to quit its base at Copenhagen airport* in a dispute with trade unions that threatens to drive the airline out of Denmark. The airline also repeated its pledge to close its base at the country’s Billund airport on Friday if union action is not called off.

Danish unions have claimed that Ryanair cabin crew earn less than half the wages of rival local low-cost airlines. They won a ruling in a labour court this month that allows them to strike and blockade Ryanair aircraft if the airline refuses to sign a collective agreement with staff.