BRITS will see holiday plans thrown into chaos next week as more than 100 flights to and from the UK are cancelled amid a staff strike.
Union bosses are demanding a whopping 24% pay rise for their members to return to work just as the peak travel season kicks into gear.
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The Irish Air Line Pilot’s Association (Ialpa) has announced a fresh wave of industrial action, which will heavily impact routes across the Irish Sea.
Major airline Aer Lingus has cancelled 122 flights between July 3 and July 7 in response.
It had already cancelled the same number over the next seven days as the dispute rages on.
The cancellations will mainly affect routes between Dublin Airport and the UK, it is understood.
Talks between Aer Lingus and Ialpa broke down last week after an agreement could not be reached on a pay settlement.
The union is insisting its demand for a 24% bump is reasonable as it will raise pilots’ pay in line with inflation.
Officials also point to Aer Lingus reporting a “400% increase in profit” as the basis for their case.
On the other hand, the company is adamant that it can only offer a raise of 12.25%, with anything above that found through savings from changing working conditions.
Chief corporate office Donal Moriarty said that the firm had “engaged constructively” with the unions.
He said: “We tried to discuss items that could actually resolve this dispute, in particular we tried to discuss productivity, flexibility and the modernisation of our collective agreement.
“We advised IALPA and encouraged them to revisit that mandate in order to put within their power the normal aspect of pay negotiations.”
On today’s announcement, the airline said: “In order to continue to protect as many services as possible from the impact of Ialpa’s continuing industrial action, Aer Lingus has had to take the step of cancelling 122 additional flights over the course of Wednesday July 3 to Sunday July 7 (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.”
Anyone looking to travel on the affected dates will be allowed to change their flight for free or claim a refund or voucher.
The spokesperson added: “Aer Lingus fully understands the anxiety being experienced by customers given the uncertainty caused by Ialpa’s industrial action and is giving impacted customers as many options as possible.”
Addressing the strike on X, Ialpa’s official account said: “Over 500 IALPA Aer Lingus pilots rallied together this morning at a picket outside Dublin Airport during an 8 hour strike.
“Aer Lingus pilots deserve to protect their purchasing power.”
And speaking on Thursday, Ialpa president Captain Mark Tighe told BBC News: “The company has not moved from its statement that anything more than 12.25% would have to be funded by pilots’ own payments through work practice.”
The Sun has contacted Ialpa for comment.
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