Accusations fly in air traffic controllers' dispute

Flights in and out of Ireland face massive disruption tomorrow as air traffic controllers are to strike over new work practices.

Flights in and out of Ireland face massive disruption tomorrow as air traffic controllers are to strike over new work practices.

Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports will shut down for up to four hours with aviation chiefs and airlines demanding the crippling stoppage be called off.

Ryanair, which is cancelling 48 flights affecting some 6,000 passengers, called on military air traffic controllers to step in and keep the airports open.

Stephen McNamara, spokesman, said: “It is up to the Government to ensure that Irish airports remain open either by facing down this public sector strike or better still calling in the army to keep air traffic control operating.”

Dublin and Shannon airports will be shut between 2pm and 6pm while Cork Airport will be hit from 4pm to 6pm.

Trade union Impact, representing the air traffic controllers, blamed the Irish Aviation Authority for the stoppage.

The IAA suspended 12 air traffic controllers – seven in Dublin and five in Cork - for refusing to co-operate with new working arrangements.

The union said the revised practices, which involves new technology, would involve more work.

A spokesman for the trade union said the disruption could be averted if the suspensions were lifted.

“It’s deeply regrettable and nobody wants to subject anyone to any unnecessary delays but this precipitous action taken by the IAA leaves them with little choice.”

The IAA said the union was demanding a 6% pay hike which the industry could not afford and said air traffic controllers were already well paid, with a salary of around €115,000.

Liam Kavanagh, IAA Director of Human Resources, said: “These controllers have stopped doing work on a number of ongoing projects – work they have already been doing for the last two years.

“We cannot function effectively if controllers refuse to carry out ongoing work.”

Impact said there was a dispute over pay increases due to them but that it was a separate issue.

Chief opposition party Fine Gael also demanded the strike be called off, claiming the tourism industry would be badly hit.

“We cannot function if we have to pay people every time we upgrade a system,” said Kavanagh. “The real issue here is money.”

Olivia Mitchell, tourism spokeswoman, said: “I call on the air traffic controllers to call off this protest, which can only further damage the ailing tourism industry and Ireland’s reputation as a country open for business.

“There is no appetite in the current crisis for people in secure jobs to jeopardise those of others.”

Aer Lingus said 64 services in and out of Ireland have been cancelled although most of the carrier's long-haul and transatlantic flights survived the disruption.

Fifty-two of the flights operate in and out of Dublin.

Passengers have been asked to check cancellations online and contact airlines for refunds or to rebook.

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