A number of pilots at Ryanair are preparing to establish their own association through which they can negotiate with the low-cost airlines on terms and conditions.

The Irish Times has learned that the new association, to be called the Ryanair European Pilots Association, will have links with the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) and the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) and will be supported by the European Cockpit Association.

The association is preparing to launch a website for members who will be offered free membership for the first six months.

It is understood that pilots will also retain their membership of the other pilot unions.

Pilot sources suggest that the move to establish a Europe-wide association is an attempt to create a wide forum that will span various EU states and represent pilots from Ryanair's 11 bases.

Last month, the European Transport Workers' Federation, which has been studying Ryanair's work practices, launched a Europe-wide campaign agains the airline and has established a website where staff can post their grievances.

Ryanair chief executive Mr O'Leary has stated publicly that the airline has no objection to any of its people joining a trade union.

Yesterday, a Ryanair spokeswoman said Ryanair's pilots were the best paid in Europe and were unlikely to seek IALPA's help "to get them lower pay and inferior pay increases and job losses that IALPA members members in Aer Lingus had suffered".

Last month Ryanair's head of operations, Mr David O'Brien, had an information flyer compiled by IALPA and BALPA removed from the pilot's pigeon holes, according to pilot sources at the airline.

He subsequently wrote to all of its Irish pilots to warn them that this campaign "has already put your careers at risk yet again".

More than half of Ryanair's pilots have joined BALPA and IALPA, according to the unions.