Aer Lingus has suspended all recruitment and is reviewing its schedules in an aggressive cost cutting drive in response to a sharp decline in business caused by the foot-and-mouth outbreak and the slowing global economy.
Aer Lingus chairman, Mr Bernie Cahill, convened a special meeting of the airline's board to discuss the deteriorating situation. Following the meeting a spokesman for the board said the board was very concerned at the rapidly deteriorating state of the airline’s trading performance.
"The current business environment clearly demonstrates the serious situation the company is now facing. A further deterioration in any one of a number of factors could have the most serious consequences for the profitability of the company," the spokesman said.
The spokesman concluded: "These initial steps are aimed at stabilising the current situation."
The spokesman said the board welcomed the invitation of the Labour Court to talks to attempt to resolve the current industrial dispute with SIPTU and the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission in the current talks with IMPACT on pilot pay.