It sought bids for this in 2020, as Stobart’s contract was to set to end on December 31st, 2022. Ialpa agreed, but in return Aer Lingus pledged to make recognition of the union a condition of the next regional franchise deal.
Stobart – which was in financial trouble by mid-2020, partly a result of severe Government-imposed Covid restrictions – had sought the concession on Belfast as it believed this offered a potential route to survival. Previous deals with the pilots’ union stipulated that Aer Lingus Regional services could only be based from airports within the Republic. The new service began with Dublin-Donegal flights in March last year.Īer Lingus made the commitment to Ialpa in 2020 after the union agreed that Stobart could base regional services at Belfast. That contract was scheduled to start on January 1st this year but, as Stobart had ceased trading, Emerald and Aer Lingus said that they would work on restarting some regional routes before then. Emerald emerged as the preferred bidder to succeed Stobart Air as the operator late in 2020, finalising a deal in 2021. To check in from home and save time at the airport. For all bookings, booked directly with Aer Lingus or a third party. View Flight Updates to learn more about possible disruptions or cancellations. Emerald did not comment.Īer Lingus Regional services link British, French and Channel Island airports with Ireland. Check in opens 48 hours before European flights, and 24 hours before transatlantic flights. It is understood the union has raised the issue with Aer Lingus since it first sought talks with Emerald management earlier this year. It emerged on Friday that Aer Lingus told Ialpa in 2020 that it would it require whichever airline got the contract to provide its regional services to recognise and deal meaningfully with the trade union.Ī letter from Brian Bowden, Aer Lingus chief people officer, to Evan Cullen, then Ialpa president, states that “in respect to franchise arrangements effective from, Aer Lingus agrees that recognition of and engagement with the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) by the supplier will be a condition of entering into agreement with Aer Lingus”. Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) members at Emerald, which provides the Aer Lingus Regional service under a contract, have been on a work-to-rule since last month over the airline’s refusal to recognise the union or begin talks on pay and conditions. Aer Lingus was drawn into the dispute between Emerald Airlines and pilots on Friday after it emerged the carrier had pledged its future regional franchisee would recognise the pilots’ trade union.
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