Aer Lingus management and pilots will today attend the Labour Court in a bid to resolve a pay dispute.
It follows talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in February which ended without agreement.
Aer Lingus has said that the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) has sought pay increases that were significantly higher than the 12.25% increase in consolidated pay and 1.5% increase in unconsolidated pay that had been recommended by an independent pilot pay tribunal in its report in December 2023.
It is understood that IALPA had sought an effective increase in pay for pilots of 27%.
This was comprised of a 20% pay increase over three years and the full cost of a 2019 crewing agreement understood to be worth a further 7%.
Aer Lingus said that all other employee groups have already agreed on terms similar to those proposed by the pilot pay tribunal.
The airline has warned that the stance being taken by IALPA risks investment, growth and jobs at the company.
Last week, Aer Lingus said it looked unlikely that it would be allocated a new Airbus aircraft by its parent company IAG due to the ongoing pay dispute.
IALPA, which is a branch of the Fórsa trade union, said that because there is an industrial relations process under way, it would not be commenting on the matter.
