Ryanair may hire planes and draft in European crews to staff flights impacted by next week's strike.
Pilots based in Cork, Dublin and Shannon plan to walk off the job next Wednesday in the row over collective bargaining rights.
Around 30% of the airline’s Irish-based pilots are set to take part in the strike just five days before Christmas.
The airline is due to publish a list of affected flights on Monday, potentially only providing customers with two days notice of disruption their travel plans.
The Irish Times reports this morning that crew from the airline’s European bases could be drafted in to cover the routes impacted.
The paper reports that back-up plans may also include the use of captains-in-training based inside and outside the country.
It is believed the company is also considering hiring aircraft and crew from other airlines if its own resources are unable to cope.
Italian-based pilots with the company are taking industrial action today, while their Portuguese colleagues are set to join the Irish pilots strike next Wednesday.