Will Aer Lingus pilot strike affect my holiday? Everything you need to know about flights

Concerns have been raised by many Irish holidaymakers, as pilots at Aer Lingus served notice to the airline that they intend to go on an ‘indefinite’ work to rule starting next week.

The notice was served on Tuesday afternoon, and told Aer Lingus that the pilots’ work to rule status would start on June 26 from midnight and would last ‘indefinitely’. Aer Lingus pilots voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in a dispute over pay, which was announced on Monday. Pilots are seeking a 24 per cent, which according to pilots matches inflation since their last pay rise in 2019.

In a statement on the industrial action, Aer Lingus said the action for pay raises "will cause significant impact on our flight schedules" and "will have a wholly unnecessary impact on customers who are travelling in the coming weeks, at what is peak holiday season for families".

Aer Lingus official added that they intend to "do everything we can to minimise the impact for customers".

"It is inevitable that there will be disruption as a result of this industrial action and we will communicate any changes, delays or cancellations to impacted customers as soon as possible. Where there are cancellations, we will look to reaccommodate customers as quickly as possible and will work with other airlines, with partner airlines and seek to hire-in aircraft for this purpose".

I’ve booked Aer Lingus flights, should I be worried?

We are heading into the busiest travelling time of the year though and Aer Lingus is likely to be flying in excess of 40,000 passengers every day until the end of the summer.

Not having these crucial workers means additional scheduled services could be without a pilot and might have to be cancelled.

Pilots’ union the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) said it was difficult to quantify exactly how many flights could be cancelled, but it hoped none would have to be.

The impact of these actions on flight schedules to is hard to predict but, as the action is “indefinite” it seems reasonable to expect some level of disruption.

Customers can expect some response from Aer Lingus in cases where flights are affected, according to the company themselves.

In a statement, they said: "Our focus is on communicating directly with impacted customers when we can and notifying them of their options. We will also be communicating directly with third party agents including travel agents and online agents. Passengers who booked through a third-party should contact their sales agents for any updates."

When does the strike start?

It begins at a minute past midnight on Wednesday, June 26.

What am I entitled to if my flight is cancelled?

This is where things get a little bit trickier. The airline has clear obligations to all its passengers under EU Directive 261. If you are travelling to another country and your outbound flight is cancelled then Aer Lingus will have to offer a refund or a rerouting on the next available flight or at a later time of your choosing.

Under EU regulations, passengers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to €250 compensation (as well as the cost of the flight back). This applies to journeys of 1,500km or less. Those whose journeys exceed 1,500km are entitled to €600 and their flight money.

But there is a caveat. Passengers cannot get this cash if they are told about the cancellation two weeks prior to their departure date.

What happens if I am overseas and due to come home on a cancelled flight?

The same rules as above apply to passengers regarding compensation due to them. You have the same rights under EU Regulation 261 to a refund or a rerouting on the next available flight or at a later time of your choosing.

However, the airline also has a duty of care to you as their passenger and must provide you with food and drinks at the airport.

If an overnight stay is required, the airline must also foot the bill for a hotel.

What if I have travel insurance?

If you do have travel insurance, Aer Lingus is still on the hook for your refund, as well as the price of a hotel, drinks and refreshments if you’re in the airport and your flight is cancelled. Some travel insurers will cover your expenses as a result of this cancellation – be they taxi fares or other unforeseen expenses.

Your best bet is to check your own specific insurance policy to see what’s covered and what’s not.

How will Aer Lingus respond to the strike?

Industrial disputes often go to the brink – but can end very quickly.

The Labour Court is still on the pitch. It has already made an “interim” pay recommendation. It could still intervene to have a go at a definitive resolution.

If there is industrial action and Aer Lingus can’t fly some of its own planes, it may look to hire aircraft and crews from other airlines to fly key routes.

It will be helped in that endeavour because it is part of the IAG group which also owns British Airways and Iberia but it is the busiest time of year for those airlines too so the availability of other planes will be limited.