Aer Lingus pilots march around Dublin Airport as 8-hour strike begins

Further 122 flights cancelled next week amid ongoing pay disputeEight-hour strike taking place since 5am today while an indefinite work-to-rule is ongoing

The pilots, all in full uniform, set off at 6am from Aer Lingus’s head office on the airport site and walked past the two terminal buildings twice holding placards and banners.

The demonstration, which took place in pouring rain, caused major traffic disruption around the airport.

After the march was concluded, pilots set up a picket line at the main roundabout on the entrance to the airport.

The walkout, which will end at 1pm, comes after primary schools in Ireland finished for their summer holidays and when many will be preparing for family trips abroad.

Prior to Saturday’s full strike, pilots had been involved in indefinite work-to rule industrial action that began on Wednesday. Almost 400 flights have been cancelled so far, affecting tens of thousands of passengers.

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