Varadkar: Industrial action could be 'very damaging' for Aer Lingus
The Government says it hopes Aer Lingus will not have to shut down its cabin crew base at Shannon Airport.
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar expressed his hopes that the airline can reach agreement with its crew to save the base.
Yesterday, 91% of cabin crew with the IMPACT union voted for industrial action in a dispute over the closure.
Minister Varadkar said that he cannot intervene in Aer Lingus's decision, but hopes a deal can be reached.
"Industrial action in the company could be very disruptive for passengers in the run-up to Christmas, and very damaging for the company itself," he said.
"It would be very regrettable if the boost that the Shannon region is going to get from increased Aer Lingus services to the airport were to be marred by a reduction in the numbers employed at the airport, due to a industrial relations dispute."
