Menu
08/10/2008
Belfast To Soar Above Aer Lingus Strike
Proposed strike action by staff at the former state-run Irish airline, Aer Lingus may not ground flights from the newly opened Belfast International Airport 'hub'.
Aer Lingus has insisted that passengers flying on its services to and from Belfast would not be affected by proposed industrial action.
The reassurance follows the announcement by Siptu, the largest trade union at the Irish flag carrier, that it is to ballot for all-out industrial action in the event that the airline tries to impose cuts and up to 1,500 job redundancies through outsourcing and redeployment.
The Impact trade union has also said it will oppose the cost-saving plan put forward by management at Aer Lingus. Impact described the proposal as "severe and draconian" and said it would begin consulting with members on their reaction.
However, while the airline's bases in the Republic will bear the brunt of any action, Aer Lingus insisted that its NI passengers would remain unaffected.
The new base - opened in Belfast last December - is being staffed under different arrangements to its other bases with the latest dispute set to take take-off as the company attempts to replicate staffing arrangements at the Co Antrim airport at Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
The airline's plans - which were announced on Monday - include outsourcing ground operations, cargo and catering services at Dublin and ground operations at Cork.
Up to 280 jobs could be lost at Shannon, where ground and cargo services will be outsourced and cabin crews axed.
US-based staff will also be hired to work on board long-haul services from America, and just under 20 cabin crew workers based at Heathrow Airport will be affected by the move.
Options offered to staff include voluntary severance, early retirement package, or a transfer to the new service provider.
Airline Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion said the cuts were necessary in the current circumstances to ensure the airlines' continued viability.
However, last month, there were doubts expressed over whether or not the Aer Lingus Board was fully supporative of the planned cutbacks, with even the Irish government said to have expressed concerns over the plan.
Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan was said to have been expressing her concerns about the cost-saving measures.
The Chairman of Aer Lingus said at the time that that the company's board was "unanimous" behind the plan to cut costs at the airline - although union sources claimed the carrier's chiefs were "far from decided, let alone unanimous".
However, they dismissed reports that the Board was split over the controversial plan and there was "absolute unanimity at an eight hour board meeting over proposals which are to include the outsourcing of ground operations in Shannon, Cork and Dublin".
On a more positive note, Aer Lingus has this afternoon announced a deal with United Airlines to operate a codeshare agreement.
Aer Lingus customers will be able to access United Airlines' entire extensive US network from April 2009, and customers will be able to book connecting flights with United through any of the six airports that Aer Lingus flies into in the US.
See: Aer Lingus Cost-Cutting Questioned
See: Aer Lingus Does A Little Networking With United Airlines
(BMcC)
Aer Lingus has insisted that passengers flying on its services to and from Belfast would not be affected by proposed industrial action.
The reassurance follows the announcement by Siptu, the largest trade union at the Irish flag carrier, that it is to ballot for all-out industrial action in the event that the airline tries to impose cuts and up to 1,500 job redundancies through outsourcing and redeployment.
The Impact trade union has also said it will oppose the cost-saving plan put forward by management at Aer Lingus. Impact described the proposal as "severe and draconian" and said it would begin consulting with members on their reaction.
However, while the airline's bases in the Republic will bear the brunt of any action, Aer Lingus insisted that its NI passengers would remain unaffected.
The new base - opened in Belfast last December - is being staffed under different arrangements to its other bases with the latest dispute set to take take-off as the company attempts to replicate staffing arrangements at the Co Antrim airport at Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
The airline's plans - which were announced on Monday - include outsourcing ground operations, cargo and catering services at Dublin and ground operations at Cork.
Up to 280 jobs could be lost at Shannon, where ground and cargo services will be outsourced and cabin crews axed.
US-based staff will also be hired to work on board long-haul services from America, and just under 20 cabin crew workers based at Heathrow Airport will be affected by the move.
Options offered to staff include voluntary severance, early retirement package, or a transfer to the new service provider.
Airline Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion said the cuts were necessary in the current circumstances to ensure the airlines' continued viability.
However, last month, there were doubts expressed over whether or not the Aer Lingus Board was fully supporative of the planned cutbacks, with even the Irish government said to have expressed concerns over the plan.
Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan was said to have been expressing her concerns about the cost-saving measures.
The Chairman of Aer Lingus said at the time that that the company's board was "unanimous" behind the plan to cut costs at the airline - although union sources claimed the carrier's chiefs were "far from decided, let alone unanimous".
However, they dismissed reports that the Board was split over the controversial plan and there was "absolute unanimity at an eight hour board meeting over proposals which are to include the outsourcing of ground operations in Shannon, Cork and Dublin".
On a more positive note, Aer Lingus has this afternoon announced a deal with United Airlines to operate a codeshare agreement.
Aer Lingus customers will be able to access United Airlines' entire extensive US network from April 2009, and customers will be able to book connecting flights with United through any of the six airports that Aer Lingus flies into in the US.
See: Aer Lingus Cost-Cutting Questioned
See: Aer Lingus Does A Little Networking With United Airlines
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 October 2007
Ryanair Hits Out As Aer Lingus Takes Flight
The latest news on the controversal Aer Lingus move to a Belfast operation - closing the Shannon-Heathrow route - is that its biggest rival (and ironically, its biggest shareholder), Ryanair is to provide three additional daily flights to London from Shannon Airport to ensure capacity and traffic does not fall as a result of the closure.
Ryanair Hits Out As Aer Lingus Takes Flight
The latest news on the controversal Aer Lingus move to a Belfast operation - closing the Shannon-Heathrow route - is that its biggest rival (and ironically, its biggest shareholder), Ryanair is to provide three additional daily flights to London from Shannon Airport to ensure capacity and traffic does not fall as a result of the closure.
02 June 2009
Ryanair Flies Low
The budget airline Ryanair - which flies from two bases in Northern Ireland - has revealed financial returns showing a major nosedive in operating profits. Ryanair plunged into the red by €169.2 million (£145.9m) in the year to March after being hit with a 59% hike in its fuel bill.
Ryanair Flies Low
The budget airline Ryanair - which flies from two bases in Northern Ireland - has revealed financial returns showing a major nosedive in operating profits. Ryanair plunged into the red by €169.2 million (£145.9m) in the year to March after being hit with a 59% hike in its fuel bill.
14 August 2007
Aer Lingus Pilots Announce 48-Hour Strike
Around 500 Aer Lingus pilots have announced plans to hold a 48-hour strike next week, in protest over plans to pay staff at the company's new Belfast operation less than those in the Irish Republic. The strike is due to be held next Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to affect all the air routes run by Aer Lingus.
Aer Lingus Pilots Announce 48-Hour Strike
Around 500 Aer Lingus pilots have announced plans to hold a 48-hour strike next week, in protest over plans to pay staff at the company's new Belfast operation less than those in the Irish Republic. The strike is due to be held next Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to affect all the air routes run by Aer Lingus.
01 December 2008
Ryanair Flies Into Takeover Turbulence
There's a multi-million euro bid for Aer Lingus on the table today as budget airline Ryanair makes a fresh takeover offer. The all-cash offer would value Aer Lingus at €748m euros (£619m) a lot less than the previous offer for Aer Lingus, which valued it at €1.5 billion.
Ryanair Flies Into Takeover Turbulence
There's a multi-million euro bid for Aer Lingus on the table today as budget airline Ryanair makes a fresh takeover offer. The all-cash offer would value Aer Lingus at €748m euros (£619m) a lot less than the previous offer for Aer Lingus, which valued it at €1.5 billion.
14 November 2024
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
