The Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the 17.75 percent pay increase, with 85 percent supporting the proposal.


Following the Labour Court’s recommendation, Ialpa had already suspended its work-to-rule action, pending the ballot results.


Aer Lingus welcomed the pilots’ acceptance of the 17.75 percent pay rise in a brief statement.

“Aer Lingus welcomes the outcome of the ballot which has accepted the Labour Court recommendation,” the airline stated.

Ialpa president Mark Tighe hailed the agreement, calling it the largest pay award for Aer Lingus pilots in 30 years.

“Management sought work practice changes to fund our pay award during negotiations. However, no work practice changes were conceded, nor will they be in the future. Companies making significant profits must ensure their employees’ pay reflects the company’s success and is protected from inflation,” Tighe said.

He expressed disappointment that Aer Lingus did not reach an agreement with Ialpa during the 22 months preceding the Labour Court’s recommendation, stating that the industrial action affecting passengers was entirely avoidable.


Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne, Captain Tighe noted the damage to the relationship between Aer Lingus management and pilots, emphasizing the need for genuine efforts to rebuild trust.

Captain Tighe estimated the pay deal would cost the airline less than €30 million per year and ensure all pilots would be 19.2 percent better off in two years, with new pilots and those in the bottom 20 percent seeing a 30 percent increase.

He stressed that profitable companies must protect employees’ salaries against inflation.