Aer Chiefs Suspend Two Pilots

By MICHELLE O’KEEFFE

THE Aer Lingus row escalated yesterday with two more pilots being suspended.

This brings to seven the number of pilots who have been suspended for allegedly refusing to carry out duties relating to the training and assessment of new pilots.

Talks may take place at the Labour Relations Commission this weekend in a bid to resolve the dispute at Aer Lingus.

The Labour Relations Commission is expected to issue an invitation to managers and unions at the airline to talks on Saturday and Sunday in a bid to prevent a stoppage at the airline on Tuesday.

Earlier, Aer Lingus described the current row with its pilots as a ‘watershed dispute’.

Commercial Director Enda Corneille said the company intends to operate a full service next Tuesday, which is the deadline for suspending pilots who refuse to co-operate with the establishment of the airline’s new base in Belfast.

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