Hundreds of Aer Lingus pilots marched outside Dublin Airport this morning to mark the beginning of an eight-hour strike today. 

Over 500 Irish Air Line Pilots' Association members took up their positions on the picket line this morning for the biggest escalation to date of the current industrial dispute. 

Beginning at 5am today, pilots will strike for eight hours until 1pm. 

The strike prompted Aer Lingus to cancel 120 flights on Saturday alone – on top of over 200 further flights cancelled between June 26th and July 7th. 

Over 40,000 customers have been affected by the flight cancellations. 

IALPA pilots striking at Dublin Airport demanding Aer Lingus increase pay. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

IALPA are demanding a pay increase of over 20%, while the airline has said “productivity and flexibility” will need to improve to discuss pay increases beyond 12.25%. 

Both pilots and Aer Lingus have agreed to meet with the Labour Court next week, in an attempt to resolve the impasse and bring the travel chaos to an end. 

IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe says the invitation came as the union were considering escalating industrial action. 

“The escalation was being considered and the despites committee was sitting with us,” he said. 

“We decided it was worthwhile and the events that are going to occur... that both the company and the Labour Court will see the reasonableness of our claim.” 

Mark Tighe at an IALPA protest outside Dublin Airport. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

He said IALPA has been in close contact with FORSA about industrial action – and they agreed an escalation may be necessary if negotiations break down again. 

In a statement issued yesterday, Aer Lingus said it will provide customers with the option to change flights or get a full refund. 

“Aer Lingus fully understands the anxiety being experienced by customers given the uncertainty caused by IALPA’s industrial action and is giving affected customers as many options as possible,” the airline said.