21/01/2010

Controllers' Dispute Still 'Up In The Air'

There's as yet little sign that an industrial dispute involving air traffic controllers - which disrupted the travel plans of 20,000 people yesterday - is about to be grounded.

In fact, union leaders are to decide today whether to escalate the dispute further with Impact spokesman Niall Shanahan telling the Irish Times that members of the union would be meeting in Roscrea, Co Tipperary to discuss the situation.

"It is highly unlikely another stoppage will take place today," he said, adding "our priority is to get suspended members re-instated".

Mr Shanahan said yesterday's stoppage was a result of a decision by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) not to re-instate suspended air traffic controllers. He added that progression of the issue to the Labour Court was now "a matter of urgency".

Airline services have returned to normal last night following the stoppage which grounded flights at all the State's main airports for several hours - but look likely to again be kept on the tarmac.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said it was "very disappointed" with the response of air traffic controllers following their union meeting yesterday, and that it regretted the potential for "ongoing uncertainty and disruption".

The IAA called on controllers and Impact to return to normal work so that discussions can take place.

The Government strongly criticised the industrial action by 300 air controllers, which caused the cancellation of well over 100 flights.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey urged both sides in the air traffic controllers' dispute to go back to the Labour Court to resolve their differences.

(BMcc/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 February 2008
Air Chaos For Cork
The ongoing dispute involving air traffic controllers is set to disrupt flights at Cork Airport. Arrivals and departures will be hit for eight hours from midnight tonight. The airport has been told that controllers will not provide cover for arriving and departing flights during that period.
21 July 2010
French Strike Delays Irish Holiday Makers
The Dublin Airport Authority has said a strike by French air traffic controllers' is causing delays and cancellations to flights between Ireland and France. Aer Lingus, Air France and Ryanair flights to and from Paris, Nice, Carcassone, Biarritz and Marseille have all been cancelled today.
30 January 2008
Talks Aim To Resolve Air Traffic Control Dispute
Fresh talks to resolve a dispute between air traffic controllers and the Irish Aviation Authority are due to recommence today. The two sides, which met for talks at the Labour Relations Commission last week, will be holding face-to-face discussions over the coming days in an effort to resolve the dispute by Friday.
13 June 2013
90,000 Irish Air Passengers Affected By French Strikes
A two-day strike by French air traffic controllers affected some 90,000 Ryanair passengers, the Irish Times have reported. It is understood to be the biggest disruption to flights since the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud in 2010.
20 January 2010
Over 150 Flights Cancelled Over Strike
Some tens of thousands of air travellers will be unable to fly today because of a major strike by air traffic controllers, leading to the closure of the State's three main airports.