Exodus, not so sure. They will be many leaving this year but not enough to bring the operation to a grinding halt.
My prediction for the next 5 years are as follows.
1) The biggest issue is the Irish government. Within 12 months I predict the government will be chasing Ryanair for N.I contributions and make the vast majority of Pilots employees.
2) The European Commission will finally allow Ryanair to increase its share in Aer Lingus from 29% to the majority shareholder.
3) Once The take over of Aer Lingus is completed and expansion stops, Mr oleary and the bulk of his management team will exit the airline (Ever business/man has an exit strategy).
4) The airline will have some form of union recognition.
Ryanair will be where easyjet is now in five years. The majority of Pilots will be employed with a form of union recognition. Ryanair's business model is slowly evolving. The company in the near future will be relying a lot less on airport subsidies due to the lack of grants being awarded to airports from local government, and relying a lot more on profits from ticket sales. In order to charge a premium more flights will be scheduled into larger airports.
If you can put up with the politics and the aggressive management style now, you my reap the rewards later.
FB