Court To Mediate Between Aer Lingus Management And Pilots

Aer Lingus management and Pilots’ Association will attend the Labour Court today to address ongoing industrial action. The invite came as IALPA was discussing escalating its efforts, which began with an indefinite work-to-rule on Wednesday. This action has seen pilots refuse overtime, roster changes, and out-of-hours requests. Additionally, a strike took place on Saturday morning.

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Support has also come from across the Atlantic, with pilots in Boston, Orlando, and Seattle forming pickets in solidarity with their Aer Lingus counterparts. This transatlantic support underscores the widespread nature of the dispute.

Tens of thousands of passengers have been impacted by the cancellation of roughly 400 flights as a result of the labour dispute. Aer Lingus announced further cancellations of 122 flights on Friday to manage the situation. Impacted customers can change their flights for free or opt for a refund or voucher.

Aer Lingus Management and Pilots’ Salary Demands vs. Offers

The dispute centres on pay, with IALPA demanding a 23.8% increase over three years, citing Aer Lingus’s €225 million profit in 2023. Aer Lingus, however, has offered a 12.5% increase conditional on productivity and flexibility improvements. Previous Labour Court interventions have not resolved the issue, but today’s engagement brings hope for a resolution.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has urged both sides to have a productive dialogue in order to stop further passenger mayhem. As the Labour Court prepares to mediate, the public awaits a resolution that will restore normalcy to air travel.