Pilots blast Ryanair claim Aer Lingus is ‘interfering’ in row

CLAIMS by Ryanair that Aer Lingus pilots are interfering in the dispute between the budget airline and striking pilots have been dismissed as an attempt to divert the public’s attention.

An already fraught relationship exploded into an on-air exchange of allegations yesterday with Ryanair’s marketing boss claiming Aer Lingus pilots were getting involved in the dispute.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said: ‘There are a small number of Aer Lingus pilots, and one individual in particular, who are trying to disrupt this. Ultimately, that is what is causing damage to our business here in Ireland.

‘That is what is causing disruption of people’s flights and ultimately, that is what is going to damage Fórsa.’

The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa), which represents the approximately 100 pilots who have engaged in three days of strike action so far, are part of the wider Letter: Capt. Evan Cullen Fórsa trade union. Last night, Fórsa denied anybody from Aer Lingus was involved in any talks between the union and Ryanair.

‘Fórsa’s negotiating team in talks with Ryanair is made up solely of Ryanair pilots and full-time Fórsa officials with no links to any airline or any other employer,’ a spokesperson said.

‘Ryanair’s claim of Aer Lingus “interference” in the negotiations is an attempt to divert public attention from the fact that the company has failed to respond to Fórsa’s offer to attend negotiations.’

But Mr Jacobs said: ‘We have an issue with the pilots of competitor airlines... trying to negotiate with us.’

Asked to substantiate his claims, Mr Jacobs claimed there was ‘plenty of evidence of this; there is documented evidence of it’.

When later asked for this evidence, an external PR firm employed by Ryanair produced a letter written to the chief of the Dublin Airport Police. The short letter, dated June 25, 2018 from Ialpa was written by the union’s president, Aer Lingus captain Evan Cullen to warn that there were likely to be pickets at the airport.

A spokesperson for Aer Lingus said last night: ‘Aer Lingus is not in a position to comment on the industrial dispute between Ryanair and the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association.’

Adding to Ryanair’s woes are challenges it is expected to face from passengers claiming compensation in the UK.

The airline has insisted – as Mr Jacobs did again on Morning Ireland – that its passengers are not entitled to compensation. This is, the airline maintains, because flight cancellations were caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’, and no compensation is payable when a union is ‘acting unreasonably and totally beyond the airline’s control’.

Under EU legislation, passengers are eligible for compensation of €250 when shorthaul flights are cancelled without two weeks’ notice.

They are also eligible for a refund or a new flight.

Airlines should only be able to avoid paying up if the disruption is caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’ beyond their control, including extreme weather and strikes by air traffic controllers.

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has, however, stressed that this does not apply in this case. Instead, it says the situation is within the airline’s control. Meanwhile, Ryanair this week launched a Mega Million Seat Sale’ in which it says it’s cutting up to 25% off fares for ‘millions of seats network wide’.

‘It’s a diversion tactic’