Aer Lingus is celebrating 70 years of service to Ireland this week.
The airline is marking the milestone later today with staff, dressed in uniforms from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 90s, and Aer Lingus' first plane.
The craft made its inaugural flight to Bristol from Dublin on May 27 1936, five days after Aer Lingus was first registered as an airline.
Minister of State for Transport, Pat Gallagher, told the Irish Airline Pilots Association last night that a thriving air transport industry is essential for Ireland to ensure adequate access for tourism, business and commercial life.
"I cannot overstate the importance of aviation to the Irish economy," he said. "Aer Lingus has performed exceptionally well in recent years and is currently one of the best performing airlines in Europe and I acknowledge the contribution of both management and staff in achieving this success.
"I believe that the process we are now embarking on in providing Aer Lingus with access to the capital markets will provide it with the basis to grow the company in line with its new business strategy and will result in a stronger, more competitive airline which is in the best interests of both staff and the travelling public."
Siptu will mark the anniversary on Monday with a march at the airline's headquarters.
All Siptu members are invited to participate. The birthday bash will begin with a march from the PCB car park to the departures section of the main terminal, where a band will perform briefly, before proceeding to a rally and further music at the Head Office Building. Siptu will have a birthday cake to mark the occasion.
One slice of 14.9 per cent will be for the workers and the other slice of 85.1 per cent will represent the state's share. It will bear a slogan, 'Let's Keep it ours'.