Aer Lingus loses out on second A321XLR over pilots row

Aer Lingus has lost the opportunity to secure a new Airbus A321XLR for a second time, because of the ongoing pilots pay dispute.

It follows a decision last month by the airline’s parent, IAG, to allocate the first of the new aircraft due for delivery to another group airline due to the uncertainty around costs at Aer Lingus arising from the row.

A second aircraft is due for delivery from manufacturer Airbus later in the year, but a decision had to be made this week on the colours it is to be painted.

“Aer Lingus was unable to give IAG the confidence it needed in our cost structure, resulting in the inaugural A321 XLR – originally planned for Aer Lingus –being allocated elsewhere in the group,” the airline said in a statement.

“On the same basis and given the deadline for a decision on painting was this week, the second XLR aircraft will not be painted in Aer Lingus livery and will remain available to be allocated elsewhere within the group.”

Aer Lingus pilots are currently balloting on an interim Labour Court recommendation made a week ago aimed at resolving the dispute.

The court recommended that the pilots should receive pay increases totalling 9.25% as part of an interim settlement of the long-running wage dispute.

The figure is well below the 23.8% that the pilots had been seeking.

The executive of the union representing pilots, IALPA, unanimously rejected the plan.

But it said it would be put to a ballot of members with a recommendation of rejection.

No more A321XLRs are due for delivery this year, with four expected next year.