Aer Lingus has branded pilot’s demand for a 24% pay increase 'outrageous'.
The Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA) voted by 97.7% in favour of industrial action up to and including strike on Wednesday in a row over pay.
The pilots are seeking the wage increase after rejecting a Labour Court proposal of a 9.25% pay increase over two years.
Aer Lingus Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Donal Moriarty told Newstalk Breakfast the plan would see 200 senior pilots get a "€50,000 pay increase", bringing their package to just under €350,000.
"That €50,000 increase is more than the total annual pay of 3,500 of our 5,500 employees," he said.
"We have many pilots in Aer Lingus and we really value them in the business - they are fairly paid but what they're looking for through IALPA is outrageous".
IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe told the show the increase is in line with other sectors.
"The 24% [increase] is actually seen and demonstrable," he said.
"The CSO has just recently published an article that the average pay increase in the last five years has been 24%.
"When you add up the pay increases that have been given out in agreement with our friends in the public services... that all adds up to around the same thing."
IALPA: 'We want our share'
Capt Tighe said pilots have not seen a pay increase since 2019.
"At the end of the day this is all about money and the profits that our company make and who gets them," he said.
"The company made €225m last year, they're forecasting significant increases in profits over the coming years.
"We're just looking to keep up and to have our share."
Aer Lingus: 'It's just not tenable'
Mr Moriarty questioned the figures from Capt Tighe.
"He's referenced CSO data and increases in pay over the years... the data for the transportation sector in which we sit is actually a 6.8% increase since 2019," he said.
"IALPA are looking for four-times that, essentially.
"That's just not tenable for a number of reasons: it would add between €40m and €45m in cost to Aer Lingus and that would very much inflict damage on the businesses in terms of its future prospects and growth."
Mr Moriarty said pilots have received pay "increments" since 2019.
On a potential strike, Capt Tighe said he is "hoping that the company come to their senses".
Listen back here:
