Fans flying from all over the world for the Dublin leg of Taylor Swift’s tour fear they will miss out on the shows due to pilot strikes.
The airline confirmed over the weekend that it would cancel more than 100 flights on the day an eight-hour strike by pilots is due to take place.
The action is coinciding with Taylor Swift bringing The Eras Tour to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for three sold-out concerts on Friday June 28, Saturday June 29 and Sunday 30.
Katrin Pepermans is flying to Dublin from Brussels with her seven-year-old daughter, but has had to fork out €900 for alternative travel arrangements after her return flight on June 30 was cancelled by the airline.
She said the airline had suggested an alternative return flight with British Airways on July 2 via London, which she wasn’t able to take up because of visa requirements.
“I had to decline because this means that we would need passports as opposed to identity cards and getting those in an emergency procedure is ridiculously expensive,” she said.
“All I could do was cancel the return leg and book my own Ryanair flight which is now €900 for two people and I hope that the airline will compensate us in somewhat.
“Of course we’re not sure our inbound flight will not be cancelled but we are hopeful. I’m travelling with my seven-year-old daughter who would just be absolutely heartbroken and I know for a fact that a lot of American people are travelling over to Dublin using this airline.”
Other fans posted on social media amid the chaos caused by the impending strike action.
One fan complained about a lack of clarity from the airline.
In a post on X they said: “I would really appreciate Aer Lingus actually letting us know if our flights are gonna be impacted, I’m meant to fly on Friday to go see Taylor Swift on Saturday, would really like to make arrangements if my flight is indeed impacted by the strike”
I would really appreciate @AerLingus actually letting us know if our flights are gonna be impacted, I'm meant to fly on Friday to go see Taylor Swift on Saturday, would really like to make arrangements if my flight is indeed impacted by the strike 🙃
— Marion (@marioncmrl) June 21, 2024
On Friday, the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association confirmed its members at the airline will stage strike action on Saturday, June 29 as part of an ongoing dispute over pay.
This is in addition to a planned indefinite work-to-rule action starting on Wednesday, June 26 when Aer Lingus pilots will cease doing overtime.
