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Flights to stay cancelled despite strike suspension

Getty Images An Aer Lingus flight flying in a grey sky Getty Images
Hundreds of Aer Lingus flights have been cancelled since action by pilots began

Aer Lingus flights cancelled due to a pilots' strike will remain cancelled, despite the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) suspending its industrial action, the airline has said.

It comes as IALPA president Mark Tighe described a pay-rise recommendation by the Irish Labour Court as a "significant win" for the union.

Hundreds of Aer Lingus flights cancelled because of strike action last month and a work-to-rule which began two weeks ago, as part of a long-running dispute over pay.

The executive of IALPA met on Wednesday and is recommending that members accept a Labour Court proposal to increase pilots' pay by 17.75% and that industrial action be suspended.

However, an Aer Lingus spokesperson said on Thursday that "unfortunately, those flights already cancelled will remain that way", Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports.

The court recommended that the increase be awarded as follows:

  • 2% with effect from 1st January 2023
  • 1.75% with effect from 1st July 2023
  • 2% with effect from 1st October 2023
  • 3.5% with effect from 1st January 2024
  • 1.5% with effect from 1st October 2024
  • 3% with effect from 1st January 2025
  • 3% with effect from 1st January 2026
  • 1% with effect from 1st July 2026

At Wednesday's meeting, the IALPA executive voted to recommend accepting the Labour Court's recommendation.

In a statement, the union said the pilot body will "move immediately to suspend ongoing work-to-rule action, in place since 26 June, pending the outcome of a ballot".

The union said it will hold a series of engagements with members before a ballot on the terms of the Labour Court recommendation in the coming weeks.

PA Media A close up image of Captain Mark Tighe, president of IALPA PA Media
Captain Mark Tighe

Mr Tighe described the pay increase provided for in the recommendation as a "significant win for pilots".

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Aer Lingus said it welcomed IALPA’s "recommendation of acceptance of the Labour Court recommendation and its decision to discontinue the industrial action".

"We look forward to IALPA completing the balloting process as soon as possible.”

The Labour Court recommendation also proposes the ending of 2022 pay scales, the scrapping of a crewing agreement on rostering and summer leave, and the termination of a debt owed by pilots to the company as part of that agreement.

PA Pilots on strike in June, picture is close up of them holding blue signs with white writing which read 'two years talking, deal now' and 'together we are stronger'PA
Pilots took part in strike action in June and have been working-to-rule for weeks

The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless, welcomed the announcement of IALPA’s decision to suspend its industrial action.

In a statement, Mr Lawless said he was "encouraged" by the IALPA executive’s decision to recommend acceptance of the Labour Court’s recommendation.

"I commend both sides for adopting a pragmatic and positive approach over recent days, culminating in this agreement," Mr Lawless added.

Flight cancellations

Aer Lingus announced on Wednesday it is cancelling 25 more flights due to industrial action by pilots.

The cancellations are for Monday 15 July and Tuesday 16 July.

The airline said it expects to announce further cancellations on Thursday morning and that details of the cancelled flights can be found on its website.

Aer Lingus says customers whose flights are cancelled will be contacted directly.

Travel agents will also be contacted.

In a statement, it said: "Customers affected by these latest cancellations will be given the option to change their flights for free. They will also be able to claim a refund or voucher".