Holidaymakers could face severe disruption in the coming weeks as Aer Lingus pilots consider strike action.
The Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) is to ballot its members at the airline in a row over pay.
The union has rejected a Labour Court proposal of a 9.25% pay increase over two years.
Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam said there is a potential for strike action at the flag carrier.
"The Irish Air Line Pilots' Association said that it was going to ask its members about the issue of industrial action - potentially going on strike at the end of this month or early July," he said.
"This follows a breakdown in talks between Aer Lingus and IALPA.
"The Labour Court had brokered a deal two days ago of 9.25% pay increases over two years - which the union rejected.
"They cited Aer Lingus' €225m in profits last year - though I'm sure Aer Lingus would cite the €82m in operational losses sustained in the first quarter of this year".
An Aer Lingus aircraft at Dublin Airport, 4-8-21. Image: Sam Boal /Rollingnews.ieJoe said the company and the union are quite far apart.
"IALPA wants 20% pay increases and if they don't get it they're going to ballot their members to go on strike," he said.
"They currently are doing a work-to-rule; in other words they don't do anything outside what is contractually agreed.
"That could upset quite a few people going on holidays.
"Talks are hoping to resume at some point next week but at the moment a strike is looming," he added.
Aer Lingus planes at Dublin Airport, 3-1-24. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ieIn a statement to Newstalk, Aer Lingus said it believes the ballot is 'entirely unnecessary'.
"We are surprised that IALPA commenced this ballot before they met directly with the airline - a meeting with management was being arranged but had not yet taken place," it said.
"Commencing of a ballot is disruptive to the airline’s customers and other employees.
"The Labour Court issued an interim recommendation which was accepted by Aer Lingus and outlined a clear path forward for continued engagement on the issue of pilot pay with a view to resolving it.
"IALPA have rejected the outcomes of multiple independent processes which have sought to resolve the issue, including a Pilot Pay Tribunal report which recommended a three-year pay deal similar to that which has been agreed by other employee groups".
The statement added that pilots in Aer Lingus "are already very well paid."
