Aer Lingus Pilots' Decision Leads to Hundreds of Canceled Flights

Aer Lingus pilots have launched a labor action that has triggered the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

The pilots are now following what’s known as a “work to rule” action, which means they will not put in any overtime, accept changes to set schedules, or take out-of-hours requests from managers, according to a report from Associated Press.

In addition, an eight-hour strike is on tap for this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association has said it plans to resume talks tomorrow with Aer Lingus as the labor action continues.

All of these measures have been triggered by a pay dispute. Pilots are pushing for a 24 percent pay increase to keep their income on par with inflation. The last pay raise they received was in 2019, per Associated Press.

Aer Lingus has offered pilots a 12.5 percent pay hike. The carrier says it may put even more of an increase on the table if more “productivity and flexibility” are discussed.

The country’s prime minister, Simon Harris, has also weighed in on the matter. Harris said it is “absolutely vital” that the issue is resolved.

“My challenge to the parties now is to bring that engagement forward, rather than putting people through a prolonged period of agony and chaos, and then engaging in the end anyway,” Harris said Tuesday, according to Associated Press.

“This dispute will be settled the same way every dispute is settled: compromise, engagement, sitting around a table. That’s what needs to happen.”

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