End of flight cancellations in sight as Aer Lingus pilots set to agree pay deal

Holidaymakers were relieved when it emerged overnight that Aer Lingus pilots will be asked to accept a 17.75 per cent pay rise in a referendum, following a recommendation from their representative body.

The move comes after a work-to-rule strike that began in late June led the airline to cancel hundreds of flights.

Ialpa said it would “act immediately” to suspend an ongoing work-to-rule strike that had led to the cancellation of hundreds of Aer Lingus flights.

The move comes as Ialpa’s executive committee voted tonight to recommend that Aer Lingus pilots accept an employment tribunal recommendation that could end a dispute at Aer Lingus.

The labour court has recommended a 17.75 per cent pay increase for pilots.

IALPA President Mark Tighe described the wage increase in the labour court’s recommendation as a significant victory for pilots.

The Ialpa Executive Committee met this evening and passed a motion to recommend acceptance of the court’s recommendation.

“Following the Employment Tribunal’s communication today (Wednesday) and further clarification from Aer Lingus, Ialpa met and passed a motion to recommend acceptance of the Employment Tribunal’s recommendation,” a statement said.

The union will hold a series of interviews with its members before a vote on the terms of the employment tribunal’s recommendation next week.

Ialpa President Mark Tighe described the pay increase in the recommendation as a major victory for pilots.

Aer Lingus welcomed Ialpa’s recommendation to its members to accept the agreement, as well as the decision to end industrial action.

He said: “We hope that Ialpa will complete the voting process as soon as possible.”

Aer Lingus has cancelled 25 more flights next Monday and Tuesday and said it would contact affected customers.

She also said further cancellations would be announced on Thursday.

The pilots had initially asked for a 24% pay increase, which they said was in line with inflation since the last pay increase in 2019.

They had previously rejected an employment tribunal recommendation for a 9% pay rise, but Ialpa had suggested the union would consider a pay rise lower than the 24% figure.