The Chief Corporate Affairs Officer with Aer Lingus has warned that disruption to customers this summer will be significant, but the airline will do all it can in order to minimise this.
Aer Lingus pilots, who are members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA), yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action.
Members voted 99% in favour (on a turnout of 89%) in a paper, in-person ballot that was conducted over the weekend.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Donal Moriarty of Aer Lingus said the airline has asked for 15 days notice of strike action so they can re-accommodate as many passengers as possible at a very busy time of year.
The union is required to give a minimum of seven days’ notice.
Mr Moriarty strenuously denied that the airline was looking for 15 days notice in order to avoid paying compensation under EU rules.
“We will fulfil all of our compensation obligations,” he said.
“We have no difficulty in refunding, re-accommodating or compensating customers where compensation is necessary,” he added.
He said IALPA seem determined to inflict disruption on the travelling public and Aer Lingus is preparing for this.
