Crews have been working overnight to assess the damage and restore power where conditions are safe. ESB Networks has warned that more outages are likely due to potentially damaging gusts.

Severe Weather Warnings

The Status Orange wind warning has been active for Munster and Connacht since 8 p.m. last night and for Leinster, Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan since 10 p.m. While the Red warnings for several counties, including Donegal, Sligo, and Galway, have expired, the storm’s impact remains significant. Met Éireann recorded gusts reaching 141 km/h at Mace Head in Galway and 120 km/h in Clare, causing widespread damage.

Impact on Power and Travel

A total of 395,000 customers are still without power. Local authorities have reported numerous incidents, including downed trees and blocked roads. In Sligo, trees and electrical wires have disrupted traffic on roads such as the Calry to Sligo route at Deerpark. Kerry has also seen significant damage, with a trampoline reported on a road between Kilflynn and Halfway House.

Travel disruptions extend to airports and public transport. Dublin Airport confirmed several flight cancellations and advised passengers to check with airlines for updates. Bus Éireann has canceled multiple services, and northbound trains from Connolly Station are delayed due to a fallen tree between Clontarf and Howth Junction.

Warnings for Motorists and Residents

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, with the PSNI highlighting the risk of fallen trees and debris in Northern Ireland. Drivers are advised to slow down, allow extra travel time, and remain vigilant on the roads.

Additional weather warnings are in effect. Northern Ireland faces an Amber wind warning until 9 p.m., while a Status Yellow rain warning is active in Connacht, Clare, and other counties until 10 a.m. A similar rain warning is in place in Northern Ireland until midday.

Met Éireann has cautioned residents about potential impacts, including fallen trees, damage to power lines, and wave overtopping along the coast. Temporary structures are also at risk as the storm progresses.

Stay updated with the latest weather advisories and exercise caution during this severe weather event.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has confirmed that the outage is likely to cause some delays in flight schedules. Despite the power cut, the authority has been proactive in managing the situation, ensuring that flights continued to take off. Passengers were advised to proceed to the airport as per their original plans.

During the outage, conditions at the terminal became challenging. Passengers were temporarily held outside Terminal 2 until power could be gradually restored. Others were redirected from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 to facilitate their travel processes. The DAA staff was on hand, distributing water and assisting stranded passengers during the inconvenience.

Eva Murphy Ryan, one of the passengers, expressed her frustration to RTÉ News. She reported being stuck at the top of a check-in line for over an hour, with no information available as screens went blank and baggage carousels ceased operation. According to her, hundreds of passengers were left waiting inside the terminal, looking for updates and guidance.

The DAA has assured that they are working diligently to resolve the issue and will provide more information as the situation evolves. Travelers are encouraged to keep in contact with their airlines to check the latest status of their flights.

Nats, the air-traffic control firm in charge, has implemented temporary flight restrictions to ensure safety amidst these staffing shortfalls. The consequences of these limitations are far-reaching, with an estimated 15,000 passengers facing significant alterations to their travel schedules on what is traditionally one of the busiest days of the summer travel season.

EasyJet, a major carrier at Gatwick, has seen at least 64 of its flights both arriving and departing from the Sussex hub grounded, echoing disruptions from the previous year and as recent as June 2024. A spokesperson from Nats has issued an apology for the disruption but has not provided a clear timeline for when normal operations might resume.

The ripple effects of the staffing issue are compounded by adverse weather conditions across Europe, which have further tightened the restrictions on flight operations. “We are extremely disappointed that customers are once again affected by circumstances beyond our control. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working diligently to minimize the impact,” stated a representative from Nats.

Passengers like a Brit planning to travel from Nantes to London Gatwick expressed their frustration as they incurred additional costs and potential lost wages due to the disruptions. “It’s an absolute nightmare. I’m now out of pocket by over £240, and the lack of a direct contact number for EasyJet only adds to the frustration,” the passenger shared.

In response to the chaos, EasyJet has informed affected passengers of their options to rebook or receive refunds. The airline is also arranging for accommodations and meals where necessary. Similarly, British Airways and Vueling have canceled several flights, and Wizz Air has also axed routes to Vienna and Venice, underscoring the widespread impact of the air-traffic control shortage.

A Gatwick spokesperson emphasized that the safety-driven restrictions, exacerbated by unexpected staff absences and poor weather, are regrettable but necessary. “We urge affected passengers to contact their respective airlines for the most current information,” they advised.

The updated warning takes effect from 10:00 PM tonight, extending until 10:00 AM the following morning, revising earlier forecasts which had set the commencement at 3:00 PM today. This change suggests that the weather patterns may be more unpredictable and severe than initially anticipated.

Residents and visitors in the affected areas can expect heavy and persistent rainfall, raising the alarm for possible localized flooding. Such conditions are likely to challenge travel plans, as roads may become hazardous. The inclement weather also casts a shadow over outdoor events, which are likely to face cancellations or disruptions.

Authorities urge caution, advising the public to stay updated through official channels and prepare for adverse weather conditions. The extension of the rain warning to Sligo and Clare underscores the need for vigilance and readiness among the communities poised on the edge of this weather front.

As the situation evolves, more Aer Lingus flight cancellations may occur. Here is the list of flights cancelled as of today, Saturday, June 22:

Aer Lingus Releases List of Flight Cancellations Due to Pilots’ Strike

Wednesday, June 26

• Cork (ORK), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 at 20:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands – EI0602 at 06:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Berlin/Brandenburg (BER), Germany – EI0332 at 06:40
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Birmingham (BHX) – EI0276 at 19:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Brussels (BRU), Belgium – EI0638 at 17:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Dusseldorf (DUS), Germany – EI0698 at 17:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Frankfurt (FRA), Germany – EI0656 at 16:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0166 at 13:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0182 at 19:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Manchester (MAN) – EI0208 at 12:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Munich (MUC), Germany – EI0356 at 16:25
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to New York (JFK), USA – EI0105 at 11:05
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0526 at 13:00

Thursday, June 27

• Cork (ORK), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 at 20:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands – EI0608 at 13:40
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Berlin/Brandenburg (BER), Germany – EI0332 at 06:40
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Birmingham (BHX) – EI0276 at 19:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Brussels (BRU), Belgium – EI0638 at 17:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Geneva (GVA), Switzerland – EI0680 at 06:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0164 at 12:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0182 at 19:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Manchester (MAN) – EI0208 at 12:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to New York (JFK), USA – EI0105 at 11:05
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0528 at 18:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Rome/DaVinci (FCO), Italy – EI0404 at 10:25
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Vienna (VIE), Austria – EI0660 at 06:10

Friday, June 28

• Cork (ORK), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 at 20:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands – EI0602 at 06:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Berlin/Brandenburg (BER), Germany – EI0332 at 06:40
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to New York (JFK), USA – EI0105 at 11:05
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0164 at 12:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Manchester (MAN) – EI0208 at 12:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0526 at 13:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Munich (MUC), Germany – EI0356 at 16:25
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Frankfurt (FRA), Germany – EI0656 at 16:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Dusseldorf (DUS), Germany – EI0698 at 17:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Brussels (BRU), Belgium – EI0638 at 17:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0182 at 19:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Birmingham (BHX) – EI0276 at 19:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Rome (FCO) – EI0406 at 15:45

Saturday, June 29

• Cork (ORK), Ireland to Dubrovnik (DBV), Croatia – EI0804 at 05:45
• Cork (ORK), Ireland to Lanzarote (ACE), Spain – EI0876 at 06:40
• Cork (ORK), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0710 at 07:20
• Cork (ORK), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0712 at 11:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Athens (ATH), Greece – EI0440 at 05:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Bordeaux (BOD), France – EI0506 at 06:10
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Geneva (GVA), Switzerland – EI0680 at 06:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Naples (NAP), Italy – EI0450 at 06:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands – EI0602 at 06:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Madrid (MAD), Spain – EI0592 at 06:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Rome/DaVinci (FCO), Italy – EI0402 at 06:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Birmingham (BHX) – EI0262 at 06:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Manchester (MAN) – EI0202 at 06:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0152 at 06:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Berlin/Brandenburg (BER), Germany – EI0332 at 06:40
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0520 at 06:40
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Barcelona (BCN), Spain – EI0562 at 06:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Brussels (BRU), Belgium – EI0630 at 06:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Dusseldorf (DUS), Germany – EI0692 at 06:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Frankfurt (FRA), Germany – EI0650 at 07:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Tenerife (TFS), Spain – EI0762 at 07:05
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Zurich (ZRH), Switzerland – EI0342 at 07:10
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Munich (MUC), Germany – EI0352 at 07:10
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Lanzarote (ACE), Spain – EI0776 at 07:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Malaga (AGP), Spain – EI0580 at 07:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0154 at 07:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Dubrovnik (DBV), Croatia – EI0476 at 07:35
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Faro Algarve (FAO), Portugal – EI0492 at 07:35
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Lyon (LYS), France – EI0550 at 07:35
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Venice (VCE), Italy – EI0422 at 07:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Lisbon (LIS), Portugal – EI0482 at 07:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0522 at 07:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0156 at 08:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0158 at 09:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0524 at 09:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands – EI0604 at 09:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Hamburg (HAM), Germany – EI0392 at 10:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Rome/DaVinci (FCO), Italy – EI0404 at 10:25
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Nice (NCE), France – EI0544 at 11:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to New York (JFK), USA – EI0105 at 11:05
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0162 at 11:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Verona (VRN), Italy – EI0412 at 11:35
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Malaga (AGP), Spain – EI0584 at 11:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Faro Algarve (FAO), Portugal – EI0494 at 11:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0164 at 12:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Nantes (NTE), France – EI0538 at 12:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Marseille (MRS), France – EI0514 at 12:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Lyon (LYS), France – EI0552 at 12:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Bilbao (BIO), Spain – EI0748 at 13:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0526 at 13:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Geneva (GVA), Switzerland – EI0684 at 13:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0166 at 13:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands – EI0610 at 18:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0528 at 18:20
• Knock-Irl West (NOC), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0916 at 13:05
• Shannon (SNN), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0380 at 07:40
• Shannon (SNN), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0386 at 17:30

Sunday, June 30

• Cork (ORK), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 at 20:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Berlin/Brandenburg (BER), Germany – EI0332 at 06:40
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Birmingham (BHX) – EI0276 at 19:20
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Brussels (BRU), Belgium – EI0638 at 17:55
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Dusseldorf (DUS), Germany – EI0698 at 17:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Frankfurt (FRA), Germany – EI0656 at 16:45
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0168 at 14:30
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0182 at 19:00
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Lyon (LYS), France – EI0550 at 06:15
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Manchester (MAN) – EI0208 at 12:50
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Munich (MUC), Germany – EI0356 at 16:25
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to New York (JFK), USA – EI0105 at 11:05
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland to Paris (CDG), France – EI0526 at 13:00

Donal Moriarty, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Aer Lingus, stated that the industrial action “gets worse day by day,” increasing the risk of further cancellations. He assured that impacted passengers would be contacted and provided with options for refunds, re-accommodation, or vouchers.

The Aer Lingus pilots are demanding a 24% pay increase, arguing it matches the inflation rate since their last pay rise in 2019.

Aer Lingus has announced significant disruptions due to an ongoing pilot strike, resulting in numerous flight cancellations out of Cork Airport. The airline has released a list of 124 affected flights, with several scheduled departures from Cork among them.

Aer Lingus has confirmed that between June 26 and June 30, 10-20% of their flights will be canceled due to the strike action over a pay dispute with their pilots. However, Aer Lingus Regional flights to Bristol will remain unaffected by the industrial action.

As of today, Saturday, June 22, the following Cork flights have been canceled:

Cork Flight Cancellations Due to Aer Lingus Pilot Strike :

• Wednesday, June 26: Cork (ORK) to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 – 20:30
• Thursday, June 27: Cork (ORK) to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 – 20:30
• Friday, June 28: Cork (ORK) to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 – 20:30
• Sunday, June 30: Cork (ORK) to London/Heathrow (LHR) – EI0724 – 20:30

Donal Moriarty, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Aer Lingus, emphasized that the situation could worsen, potentially leading to further cancellations. He stated on RTE Radio, “What will happen over the next couple of days is that impacted passengers will be contacted and advised of cancellations if it affects them and then given their options in terms of refund, re-accommodation, or voucher.”

The Aer Lingus pilot strike stems from a demand for a 24% pay increase, which pilots argue is necessary to keep pace with inflation since their last raise in 2019.

Passengers affected by the Aer Lingus pilot strike are urged to stay informed on the latest updates and check their flight status regularly. The airline is working to notify impacted travellers and provide alternative solutions as the strike continues.

Stay tuned to Local Europe News for further updates on the Aer Lingus pilot strike and its impact on travel from Cork Airport.