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Aer Lingus to cancel up to 20% of flights each day due to industrial action by pilots

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Aer Lingus to cancel up to 20% of flights each day due to industrial action by pilots

Aer Lingus is to cancel up to 20% of flights each day between June 26 and July 2 on foot of its pilots’ decision to commence a period of work-to-rule, an action the airline described as insidious.

The airline said it has now assessed the impact of the pending action announced by pilots’ union IALPA on Tuesday and that it would be cancelling between 10% and 20% of its flight during that period “in order to protect as many services as possible”.

Aer Lingus carries up to 40,000 passengers per day, meaning some 8,000 passengers could be effected. Between 22 and 40 flights per day will be impacted as a result of the action.

A spokesperson for the airline said the cancellations will be implemented over the course of the next two days, with details of the affected services to be communicated to travellers during that time.

“The work to rule announced is an insidious form of industrial action which will have a cumulative and negative impact on Aer Lingus customers,” they said.

“Its indefinite form is designed to severely disrupt passengers in the peak of the summer season. The impact will cause many flight cancellations – many of which may happen close to the time of travel,” they added.

The airline said that customers scheduled to travel during the five-day-period in question will be given the option to change their flights for free, and will also be able to cancel their flight and claim a refund or voucher.

“Aer Lingus fully understands the anxiety being experienced by customers given the uncertainty caused by IALPA’s industrial action and is giving customers as many options as possible, should they wish to change their plans,” the spokesperson said.

IALPA has been contacted for comment.

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