Aer Lingus pilots’ industrial action and what it means for Manchester Airport

Aer Lingus has warned of “disruption” to some of its services this summer ahead of industrial action announced by the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) - but Manchester-based pilots will not be affected. Pilots who are members of the IALPA will begin “indefinite” work-to-rule from Wednesday, June 26.

Notice to the airline was served on Tuesday with 99 per cent of members in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay. IALPA president Captain Mark Tighe said: “We are now at a point where this dispute has escalated to indefinite industrial action by pilots.

“We are in this position because management have failed to provide us with a meaningful offer on pay that accounts for inflation and the sacrifices made by pilots to save Aer Lingus during the pandemic.”

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The act will involve working no overtime, or any other out of hours duties requested by management; only working the published rosters and not accepting or working any amendments to published rosters; not logging into the Aer Lingus portal or “e-crew” outside of work hours; as well as not answering phone calls outside of work hours.

Aer Lingus has confirmed to the M.E.N. that Manchester-based pilots will not be affected by the industrial action. In a statement on its website the airline says: “Transatlantic flights to/from Manchester are also unaffected by this industrial action.” It added that Aer Lingus Regional flights operated by Emerald Airlines, are unaffected by this industrial action.

In a statement Aer Lingus said: “Aer Lingus is currently assessing the impact of the industrial action served by IALPA including the work to rule which it has outlined to