Siptu has said it would welcome new intervention to resolve a pension dispute which is threatening disruption at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.
Counting of votes is getting underway after members at Aer Lingus were balloted on whether to take industrial action.
Siptu members at Dublin and Cork airports have approved the idea, and a result of today's count is expected this afternoon.
Tourism chiefs are warning of the impact of any air disruption around the time of the Six Nations rugby matches, or Saint Patrick's Day.
Siptu representative Dermot O'Loughlin said the dispute could still be resolved.
"I hope it doesn’t get to the 11th or 12th hour. I hope it happens right away," he said.
"I'm a big sports fan (and) I wouldn't like to see disruption to anybody, whether it's sports fans or otherwise.
"We have a Labour Court recommendation, but it would appear with the passage of time that it has neither validity or feasibility any more so it requires a brand new intervention…If that intervention happens at 9 o'clock today, I'd more than welcome it."