Germany's powerful Cockpit union called on pilots to stage the first-ever strike at Ryanair on Friday as it stepped up the pressure in a Europe-wide battle for recognition from the no-frills airline.

Pilots are asked to hold a four-hour "warning strike" from 5-9am (0400-0800 GMT) at German airports after initial talks with the Irish carrier were cancelled at short notice, Cockpit said in a statement Thursday.

"All pilots directly employed by Ryanair will be called to strike," it said.

Source: AFP