Aer Lingus has lost its second opportunity to secure a new Airbus A321XLR due to the ongoing pilots pay dispute
IAG allocated the first new aircraft to another airline in the group because of uncertainty around costs at Aer Lingus arising from the dispute
The second aircraft due for delivery will not be painted in Aer Lingus livery and is to be allocated elsewhere within the group
Aer Lingus pilots are currently balloting on an interim Labour Court recommendation for a pay increase, with the proposed increase of 9.25pc below the 23.8pc the pilots had been seeking.
A written statement said: “Aer Lingus was unable to give IAG the confidence it needed in our cost structure, resulting in the inaugural A321 XLR – originally planned for Aer Lingus –being allocated elsewhere in the group,” the airline said in a statement. On the same basis and given the deadline for a decision on painting was this week, the second XLR aircraft will not be painted in Aer Lingus livery and will remain available to be allocated elsewhere within the group.”
