Aer Lingus Criticised After Flight Cancellations

Aer Lingus is coming under increasing pressure from the main political parties as it announces a further 22 flight cancellations today.

The part state owned flier is still locked in a dispute with cabin crew over new rosters, which has today resulted in cancellations affecting between 1,000 and 1,500 passengers today mainly from Dublin to British and European destinations.

The airline also cancelled 20 flights yesterday, as it tries to enforce 850 hour rosters on its staff, whose representing union claims is in breach of an earlier agreement.

The airline has removed over 300 staff from the payroll over their refusal to accept the increased workloads.

Currently, the union representing staff, Impact, and the airline's management are undertaking negotiations in the Labour Relations Court to find a resolution to the fortnight old dispute.

This morning, Fine Gael's Simon Coveney said Aer Lingus had a responsibility to end the dispute in light of the recent cancellations.

"Large numbers of passengers will yet again be seriously inconvenienced by the ongoing dispute at Aer Lingus between management and cabin crew. This dispute continues to damage Aer Lingus’s good reputation, and creates uncertainty for the travelling public that has far-reaching implications far beyond the airline.

“There is a real onus now on management in particular, but also on the Impact union representatives of cabin crew, to agree a compromise that will end this travel chaos."

Mr Coveney's comments come shortly after an insistence by Fianna Fail TD Darragh O’Brien who yesterday said there was no possibility of a resolution while Aer Lingus management refused to budge from its "unreasonable position".

"I was very disappointed, though not surprised, that the efforts of the Labour Relations Commission on Friday resulted in no progress whatsoever.

"The ongoing action of management has seen up to 300 members of cabin crew removed from the payroll over the rostering dispute. This action is affecting the workers, the airline's passengers and is threatening Aer Lingus' own future in my view."

TD O'Brien said he knew the Labour Relations Commission was examining the issue closely again today with a view to bringing the parties together.

"However if there is to be any hope of a resolution management must step back from the actions pursued over the last two weeks," he said.

The airline today advised passengers to check its website for information on cancelled flights. Meanwhile, a number of cabin crew who were taken off the payroll have been invited to attend disciplinary meetings with management today, which could ultimately see staff dismissed.

(DW)