Pilots’ union suspends Aer Lingus industrial action

Aer Lingus is set to operate a full schedule of flights from Wednesday (17 July) after pilots’ union IALPA suspended its industrial action.

The airline has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights since IALPA members started working to rule on 26 June as part of a dispute over pay.

The breakthrough in the dispute came last week after Ireland’s Labour Court helped to broker a deal between the two parties, which will see pilots receive a 17.75 per cent pay increase. 

The industrial action has been suspended to allow the union to ballot its members on the pay deal from later this week.

Although, Aer Lingus’ pilots have already returned to normal working arrangements, some previously announced cancellations will continue on Monday and Tuesday (15-16 July).

“Prior to this announcement it was necessary to cancel some flights to minimise disruption to customers scheduled to travel up to and including 16 July,” said the airline in a statement.

“All affected customers have now been contacted and reaccommodated where possible on alternative flights. All Aer Lingus Regional flights (operated by Emerald Airlines) and Aer Lingus UK transatlantic flights to and from Manchester continue to operate.”