Clare Hotelier Warns Prolonged Pilots Strike Will Devastate Local Business

Clare FM

A Clare Hotelier is warning the IALPA Pilot's strike will have a detrimental impact on this county's tourism industry. It comes as Aer Lingus has already cancelled 220 flights due to the industrial action planned by the pilot's union. Of the flights that have been cancelled so far, two of them are services from London-Heathrow that were due to arrive in Shannon Airport on Saturday. According to a Clare hotelier though, the real danger for the local economy, the real danger lies in the cancellation of transatlantic flights. Research from Fáilte Ireland shows that 73% of all visitors to the Banner county last Summer, travelled from overseas and so far Aer Lingus has also been forced to cancel five inbound transatlantic fights to Dublin from New York JFK. Both sides in the dispute are attending separate meetings of the Labour court this afternoon in a last ditch effort to avoid industrial action, which is due to get underway at midnight with a work-to rule, before an 8-hour stoppage on Saturday. Co-Owner of the Shannon Springs Hotel and Clare Irish Hoteliers Federation Rep Dermot Kelly says if a compromise is not reached, the fallout will be devastating for local business. The dispute centres on the IALPA pilot's demands for a 24.8% pay increase - members claim they need a pay rise to meet inflation. Speaking on the way into the Labour Court today, Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Emmbleton says the dispute is already causing major disruption for passengers. IALPA President, Captain Mark Tighe, insists the pilots will remain firm in their stance.