Aer Lingus cancels further 80 flights for next week as sides await Labour Court recommendations

The flights have been cancelled between Thursday July 11 and Sunday July 14.

In a statement, Aer Lingus said:

“In order to continue to protect as many services as possible from the continuing and highly disruptive impact of IALPA’s continuing industrial action, Aer Lingus has had to take the step of cancelling 80 additional flights over the course of Thursday 11th July to Sunday 14th July (inclusive).

“Implementing these cancellations is to enable us to protect as many services as possible for as many of our customers as possible. These cancellations will be implemented today, and details will be communicated to impacted customers. Details of the services impacted are set out on the ‘Travel Advisory’ page of aerlingus.com.”

IALPA President captain Mark Tighe speaking after Labour Court hearing

It comes as both Aer Lingus and the pilots await the Labour Court’s recommendations.

Some 76 flights were already cancelled earlier this week for between Monday July 8 and Wednesday July 10.

The Labour Court hearing into the Aer Lingus dispute concluded on Wednesday evening, with a recommendation from the independent body expected within the next few days.

Following the conclusion of the Labour Court, the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) said both sides made their case in court.

“IALPA will not escalate our industrial action however the current industrial action remains in force,” the union said.

The pilots are seeking a 24pc pay rise over a three-year period. Ialpa says this would combat the impact of inflation since 2019.

The court will issue a recommendation within days.

Ialpa will then hold an electronic ballot of members on the recommendation, which may take three to five days.

The industrial relations process and balloting of members could guarantee that no potential escalation is announced until at least early next week.

This is due to the work-to rule, which remains in place, however this could mean further cancellations.

More than 50 Aer Lingus flights will not take off this weekend.

Speaking Wednesday, Aer Lingus said it was putting in place cancellations “to enable us to protect as many services as possible for as many of our customers as possible”.

Customers with cancelled flights up to and including July 10 can avail of three different options.

They can change their flight online with the fare difference and have their change fee fare waived by Aer Lingus, they can request a refund voucher for future travel or alternatively, apply for a refund for the full value of the flight.

A list of all of the cancelled Aer Lingus flights is available here.