IALPA has accepted an invitation to talks with Aer Lingus tomorrow after its first day of industrial action. 

The Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) will meet with airline management near Dublin Airport at 9.30am tomorrow. 

The industrial action will continue until an agreement is reached between pilots and Aer Lingus. 

IALPA members began industrial action today amid ongoing disputes over pay increases for pilots. 

It is also due to hold an eight-hour strike on Saturday from 5am to 1pm. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris welcomed the announcement IALPA accepted the invitation.

"The Taoiseach urges both sides to engage in good faith to resolve this dispute," a statement said.

Pilots are seeking a 24% pay hike as a "cumulative inflationary increase". 

Aer Lingus flights cancelled

Aer Lingus cancelled over 270 flights ahead of the industrial action – affecting 35,000 customers. 

The dispute also resulted in two planes – an A321XLR – not being allocated to Aer Lingus, according to Aer Lingus Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Donal Moriarty. 

He told reporters outside the Labour Court yesterday it’s “clear that the impact of the dispute is ongoing and impactful”.  

“[Cancellations] will continue unless there is a resolution found,” he said. 

Mr Moriarty previously told Newstalk that IALPA is “unwilling or unable to enter into meaningful, direct discussions”. 

An Aer Lingus aircraft at Dublin Airport, 4-8-21. Image: Sam Boal /Rollingnews.ie

Earlier today, IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe said the refusal to increase salaries is due to "corporate greed". 

“[Profits] in the very short term, will be affected, but in the long term, I don't believe so.” 

He said earlier this week that IALPA was considering the ‘pre-conditions’ set by Aer Lingus before a meeting could take place. 

Capt Tighe said while pre-conditions are "not a reasonable position", things are moving in the right direction. 

In a statement, the airline said "implementing these cancellations is to enable us to protect as many services as possible for as many of our customers as possible". 

"Customers whose flights are impacted will be communicated to directly via email/SMS, or through their travel agent, advising of their options," it added.