In a significant development within the airline industry, Aer Lingus has accepted a Labour Court recommendation to increase pilots’ pay by 17.75%. This decision comes amidst a prolonged industrial dispute that has seen hundreds of flights cancelled.
The Labour Court’s recommendation covers a four-year period starting from January 1, 2023, to the end of 2026. Initially, pilots were seeking a 24% pay rise to match inflation since their last pay adjustment in 2019. While pilots’ unions showed willingness to negotiate a lower increase, they accused Aer Lingus of inflexibility, as the airline’s initial offer was 12.25% with productivity improvements.
Aer Lingus, acknowledging the financial and reputational damage caused by the dispute, has urged the Fórsa/IALPA and pilots to accept the Labour Court’s final recommendation to resolve the conflict and cease industrial actions.
This agreement marks a pivotal moment for Aer Lingus, aiming to stabilize operations and mitigate further disruptions.
