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19th Jun 2024

Summer holidays could potentially be disrupted by Aer Lingus pilot strike

Niamh Ryan

Pilots at Aer Lingus have made the decision to go on an ‘indefinite strike’, starting next week

The notice stated that the Aer Lingus pilots’ work to rule status would begin on June 26th.

The development has caused concern among passengers and people planning summer holidays. Many are unsure whether or not their flights will be cancelled.

Chief Executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), Clare Dunne, spoke on Morning Ireland about the strike’s impact:

“They’re facing into long delays, possibly cancellations, possibly financial penalties, because if they’ve booked their flight or their accommodation separately, they may lose on that if their flight is cancelled and they can’t get where they need to go.”

According to Dunne, there has already been a decrease in Aer Lingus bookings.

However, she has urged people who are already booked with the airline to refrain from cancelling.

There’s not much point in cancelling and losing money on the basis that you might be disrupted, because we don’t know yet,” she said.

Pilots at Aer Lingus are currently in dispute over pay, with 99% voting in favour to take industrial action.

“We are in this position because management have failed to provide us with a meaningful offer on pay that accounts for inflation and the sacrifices made by pilots to save Aer Lingus during the pandemic,” Captain Mark Tighe said.

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