Aer Lingus was attempting to operate a full flight schedule today as a dispute with cabin crew entered its second week.
The airline has suspended and is threatening to sack 140 staff for refusing to work new rosters and has hired nine aircraft from Ryanair to maintain its services.
Aer Lingus imposed the rosters and new working rules last Monday, intensifying a four-month dispute with members of Irish trade union Impact. The union claims the loss-making carrier is spending up to euro400,000 a day on the dispute.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has repeatedly accused Aer Lingus of incompetence in the past. The low-cost giant holds a substantial stake in Aer Lingus and has twice tried to buy its Irish rival, but been thwarted by European regulators and the Irish government.
Aer Lingus operates to Malaga, Dublin, Cork and Knock from Gatwick and from several UK regional airports to Ireland.