Planned industrial action by Aer Lingus pilots is “insidious”, the airline has said as it announced plans to cut between 10-20 per cent of flights over a five-day period next week.
Aer Lingus has warned the indefinite work-to-rule action will have a “cumulative and negative impact” on customers, including flight cancellations close to the time of travel.
In a statement, the airline said: “In order to protect as many services as possible from the impact of the industrial action, Aer Lingus has to take the step of cancelling between 10% and 20% of our flights on the first five days of the industrial action – Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th June.
“These cancellations will be implemented over the course of the next two days. Implementing these cancellations is to enable us to protect as many services as possible for as many of our customers as possible.”
In addition, Aer Lingus has today announced that it will be offering a number of options to customers who may be affected by planned industrial action by the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association.
Customers will be given the option to change their flights for free or cancel their flight and claim a refund or voucher.
Aer Lingus said the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association industrial action comes at “peak holiday season for families”.
The airline said: “We will do everything we can to minimise the impact for customers.
“However, it is inevitable that there will be disruption as a result of this industrial action, and we will communicate any changes, delays or cancellations to impacted customers as soon as possible.
“Where there are cancellations, we will look to reaccommodate customers as quickly as possible and will work with other airlines, with partner airlines and seek to hire-in aircraft for this purpose.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris urged the airline and the pilots to “sort this out”, noting that the matter had been considered by State workplace relations institutions.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Harris said: “Many, many, many families across the country have seen parents and others go out to work over the course of the year and set aside a few bob to try and take their kids on a family holiday.
“And the idea that passengers – children due to go on their summer holiday – would be used as pawns in an industrial relations dispute that has already been considered by the Labour Court is utterly reprehensible, and people need to step back from the brink.”
Asked about what Government could do in the dispute, Mr Harris said it already provided the State’s industrial relations mechanisms.
He added: “I would absolutely encourage people to utilise them.
“And let me tell you this, people have a right to engage in industrial disputes but I think anybody who engages in an industrial relations dispute and does not use those mechanisms, I don’t imagine they’re going to get much gratitude or support from the people of Ireland, the parents of Ireland, trying to pack bags and bring their kids on holiday, not sure whether that’ll now be able to go ahead.
“So, get back in a room and sort this out is my very clear message.”
