Aer Lingus pilots and management are being urged to reach a resolution to avoid 'serious impact' for holidaymakers in the coming weeks.
Fresh talks take place today to try to avert strike action at Aer Lingus after the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA) voted by 97.7% in favour of industrial action.
Their action over pay could see passengers grounded within weeks.
They are seeking wage hikes of over 20% after rejecting a Labour Court proposal of a 9.25% pay increase over two years.
People view an Aer Lingus A330 during an official unveiling at Dublin Airport in January 2109. Image: Brian Lawless/PA Archive/PA ImagesAer Lingus has branded the action 'unnecessary and regrettable'.
"Aer Lingus notes the outcome of IALPA's ballot supporting industrial action," the company said in a statement.
"Any decision by IALPA to now serve notice of industrial action would be entirely unnecessary and regrettable and would result in significant disruption to the airline’s customers and to other employees.
"Notwithstanding the ballot outcome, at this time direct discussions with IALPA are ongoing.
"Aer Lingus is also willing to request the support of the Workplace Relations Commission in order to further explore solutions."
'No substantial progress' with Aer Lingus
IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe said pilots find it difficult to understand why the airline will not meet their pay claim.
"We have not yet made substantial progress - management seem to be stuck on a cost of under €3 million from an outstanding pilot agreement," he said.
"In the context of €225m profits last year and forecasts for significantly improved profits over the coming years we find that very hard to take.
"We ask management to realise that our claim for inflation is a reasonable claim and to pay it.
"The CSO has just recently shown that average pay rises over the period of time that we're talking about were 24%."
Aer Lingus planes at Dublin Airport, 3-1-24. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ieThe Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) is calling for a resolution as soon as possible.
ITAA President Angela Walsh said the strike could hit in the busiest travel period of the year.
"The ITAA is urging Aer Lingus and unions to reach a resolution and avoid any disruptive strike action," she said.
"Any pilot strike over the summer months will cause serious impact for both holidaymakers and corporate travellers, as we are in the busiest travel period of the year, with knock on effects on accommodation reservations and connecting travel."
Ms Walsh is urging the airline "to put the consumer first in an effort to avoid such disruption to travel plans".
Additional reporting: Alan Cantwell
