Aer Lingus cancels flights as ‘insidious’ strike looms.

Aer Lingus has announced plans to cut up to 20% of flights over a five-day period next week amid industrial action. Aer Lingus pilots have notified the airline of their intention to launch an indefinite work schedule from next Wednesday, in a move described as “insidious” by the company.

It comes after the Irish Airline Pilots Association (Ialpa) voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in a pay dispute earlier this week. From next Wednesday, Ialpa members at the airline will not perform overtime or off-schedule duties.

The pilots are seeking a 24% pay rise, which they say is equivalent to inflation since the last pay rise in 2019. Aer Lingus described the industrial action as “completely unnecessary” and warned it would result in significant disruption for customers.

He also characterized the payment request as unrealistic. Aer Lingus has warned that the indefinite work action will have a “cumulative and negative impact” on customers, including flight cancellations close to the time of travel.

In a statement, the airline said: “To protect as many services as possible from the impact of industrial action, Aer Lingus must take the step of canceling between 10% and 20% of our flights in the first five days of industrial action – from Wednesday, June 26 to Sunday, June 30. These cancellations will be implemented over the next two days. Implementing these cancellations is to allow us to protect as many services for as many of our customers as possible.”

In addition, Aer Lingus has today announced that it will offer a range of options to customers who may be affected by industrial action planned by the Irish Airline Pilots Association. Customers will be given the option to change their flights for free or cancel their flight and request a refund or voucher. Aer Lingus said the Ialpa move comes in “peak family holiday season”.

The airline said: “We will do everything we can to minimize the impact on customers. However, it is inevitable that there will be disruption as a result of this industrial action and we will communicate any changes, delays or cancellations to affected customers as they occur. other airlines, with partner airlines and we will look to charter aircraft for this purpose.”

Earlier, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said it was “utterly reprehensible” that children were being “used as pawns” in the industrial relations dispute. Mr Harris called on the airline and pilots to “sort it out”, noting the matter was being considered by the state’s industrial relations bodies.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Harris said: “Many, many, many families across the country have seen parents and others go to work throughout the year and put a few quid aside to try and get their children on holiday in family. And the idea that passengers – children about to go on summer holiday – would be used as pawns in an industrial relations dispute which has already been considered by the Labor Court is utterly reprehensible and people need to step back from the brink “.

Asked what the Government could do about the dispute, Mr Harris said he had already provided the state’s industrial relations machinery.

He added: “I would absolutely encourage people to use them. And let me tell you this, people have a right to engage in industrial disputes, but I think anyone who engages in an industrial relations dispute and doesn’t use these mechanisms, I don’t. I can’t imagine they will get much appreciation or support from the people of Ireland, parents in Ireland, trying to pack up and bring their kids on holiday, I’m not sure if that will be able to go back and forth in a room and solve this is my very clear message.”