"The decision by Ryanair to recognise SPAC as the organisation representing its pilots in Portugal and its commitment to starting negotiations with a view to reach a deal have led to this decision," SPAC said in a brief statement.

Europe's largest low-cost carrier offered on Friday to recognise pilot unions for the first time in its 32-year history in a last-minute attempt to avert its first-ever pilot strike at the start of the holiday season.

(Reporting By Andrei Khalip; editing by Ralph Boulton)