Anxiety is escalating over possible disruption at Dublin Airport due to even minor setbacks such as issues related to air traffic control or weather. This is anticipated to be exacerbated by an indefinite work-to-rule strike by Aer Lingus pilots that kicks off on Wednesday.
The industrial unrest has already forced the airline to declare the cancellation of an additional 50 flights on the coming Monday and Tuesday. The short-haul business routes, particularly those operating between cities like London, Manchester, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, and Frankfurt, are most affected.
A tally of 270 flights have been removed from Aer Lingus’ schedule over the upcoming week. The airline’s management justified the move as a measure to preserve the majority of its services from the repercussions of the ongoing industrial action by the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa).
In an official declaration, the airline stated its continual commitment to accommodating affected patrons by providing several alternative solutions. For passengers travelling within the next seven days, the airline will permit them to reschedule their flights at no additional cost or cancel their flight for a full refund or voucher.
The statement reiterated Aer Lingus’ comprehension of the apprehension faced by its customers amidst the fluctuating situation caused by Ialpa’s industrial actions. It pledged to present customers with an array of options if they desire to modify their travel plans.
Meanwhile, Clare Dunne, Chief Executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association, acknowledged the relative calm after the initial rush, but expressed concern over the recent spate of cancellations. In terms of holiday travellers, the latest cancellations are manageable and are largely aligned with last week’s work-to-rule cancellations, she said. She added that her members are nervously anticipating the impacts of the strike and whether it will lead to widespread cancellations at the gate, leaving passengers stranded despite being checked in and prepared to board.
“She observed that there was certainly a chance that air traffic control problems or any other delays to planes may result in pilots refusing to fly. This is because by doing so, they will end up exceeding their working hours under the work-to-rule scheme. Eoghan Corry, the proprietor of the TravelExtra website, attempted to alleviate concerns of disorderly situations, yet he cautioned that a solution may not be imminent. He noted that if flight cancellations are managed meticulously, there won’t be any turbulence at the gate.
Initiating dialogues has started, but achieving a consensus between Aer Lingus and Ialpa is still a considerable distance away. Corry predicts a series of rejections before any agreement is reached. He also doubts any major progress before the weekend, insisting that the pilots won’t relent and will continue to intimidate the passengers.
Corry pointed out that even if negotiations are held at the Labour Court, the cancelled flights won’t resume and it will result in significant financial burdens for the airline. Aer Lingus has already incurred around €7 million in expenses and this figure is projected to double before the issue is ultimately settled,” he added.