Aer Lingus pilots have begun their industrial action which has already led to the cancellation of around 270 flights.
The pilots started their indefinite work-to-rule at midnight and are now refusing to work overtime, accept changes to set rosters, or take on out-of-hours management requests. It is part of an ongoing dispute between the airline and members of the Irish Airline Pilots Association.
The action has affected the travel plans of tens of thousands of passengers.
A resolution to the bitter dispute over pay does not look imminent after the Irish Labour Court told both sides on Tuesday it will not be intervening at the present time.
An eight-hour strike by pilots is also planned for Saturday.
Flights Cancelled
Aer Lingus has said that the total number of flights cancelled as a result of the industrial action has now risen to 270.
Journeys cancelled include those out of and into Ireland from the EU, Britain, and North America. A full list is cancelled flights is available here.
Around 124 flights due to depart between today and Sunday were cancelled last week, with the airline later confirming the cancellation of a further 50 flights on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
The airline said it was pulling the 270 flights from its schedules over the next seven days “in order to continue to protect as many services as possible” from the impact of Ialpa’s industrial action.
It also said it was “continuing to offer a number of options to customers who may be impacted by the industrial action”.
A full list of cancelled flights up to and including 2 July can be found on the Aer Lingus website.
What are my options if my flight is affected?
Passengers with flights booked between 26 June and 2 July will be contacted to rebook alternative flights or receive a refund.
Aer Lingus are providing all customers with bookings within these dates the option to change flights, or request refunds or vouchers.
All Aer Lingus Regional flights (operated by Emerald Airlines) and Aer Lingus UK transatlantic flights to and from Manchester will operate as scheduled.
In the event that your flight is cancelled then your air carrier must offer you the choice between the following:
- Re-routing as soon as possible
- Re-routing at a later date at your convenience
- A refund
If you choose the first option then your air carrier must provide you with care and assistance whilst you wait for the alternative flight. These include:
- Meals and refreshments in reasonable relation to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation where an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the hotel accommodation and the airport and two free telephone calls/ access to email
Flight Delays
If your flight is subject to a long delay - over 2/3/4 hours depending on destination - your airline must provide you with the care and assistance described above.
In addition, if your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, it must offer you the choice between:
- Continuing with your journey
- A refund of the cost of your ticket.
Please note that it is not possible for passengers to travel and avail of the full refund.
If your airline does not provide the care and assistance described above, passengers should make their own reasonable arrangements and retain all receipts in the process.
Passengers are advised to then submit copies of these receipts to their air carrier for reimbursement.
What to do if my flight is cancelled?
Compensation is payable in certain circumstances where the cause of the delay or cancellation is within the control of the airline, industrial action by the airline’s own staff is considered within its control.
You are not due compensation if the airline gives you 2 weeks’ notice of the cancellation.
If you receive between 7 days and 2 weeks’ notice and your arrival times are later than 4 hours on the reroute, then you may be due compensation from the airline.
You are entitled to compensation if you receive less than 7 days’ notice and your arrival time are later than 2 hours on the reroute.
The amount of compensation payable depends on the distance of the flight. If the flight is classed as:
- Short haul, the amount payable is €250 per person
- Medium haul, the amount payable is €400 per person
- Long haul, the amount payable is €600 per person
Additional Information
Aer Lingus should provide passengers with information on their rights and entitlements under EU Regulation EC 261/ 2004.
In situations where an air carrier is unable to provide a suitable alternative flight and passengers travel at their own expense with an alternative air carrier, the original air carriers liability is limited to a full refund of the original flight costs.
Compensation may also be due, as outlined in the compensation section above.
