SIPTU pickets are at Dublin airport today as the majority of Aer Lingus flights were grounded when clerical and operations staff staged a one-day strike over pay.
The only flights operating normally are those taking 2,000 inbound passengers from north Atlantic destinations to Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
Aer Lingus has advised that all operations will return to normal tomorrow.
A spokesman thanked customers for their patience during today's disruption as a result of SIPTU's action.
The 3,000 striking staff are protesting against their rates of pay in comparison with other Aer Lingus workers. Pickets have also been placed at Cork and Shannon and Aer Lingus travel shops.
SIPTU branch secretary Mr Owen Reidy told ireland.comtoday the union was determined that its members would not be treated as second-class citizens. He said the dispute would escalate if Aer Lingus did not "take its head of the sand" and take the issue seriously.
He said the airline was told, after clerical and operative staff agreed a pay deal last November, that if any other group got higher pay awards without increased productivity they would want the same.
He said there were no plans for further talks on the issue, but added that the situation could change.
A spokesman for the members on the picket line at Dublin airport said today's action was necessary to "focus minds" on the seriousness of the situation.
He said the action was about equality and fairness, and the union was determined to pursue the claim fully.
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SIPTU members in jovial mood on the picket line at Dublin Airport.
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Between 50 and 60 SIPTU members were gathered at the entrance to the airport, urging motorists and lorry drivers to sound their horns in support, many of whom obliged. The mood was light and there was no disruption to traffic going to and from the main terminal.
Today's industrial actions follows talks yesterday in the Labour Court, which yielded little. When SIPTU said it intended to continue with today's action the Labour Court decided it was not possible to intervene at this stage.
And the prospect of further strikes increased when a company spokesman warned employees that its competitiveness would be undermined if it conceded their claim for "equity" with 1,650 cabin crew.
"We have made substantial pay settlements already which have had a major impact on our cost base. Declining economies in a number of markets, the negative impact on travel of the Foot and Mouth outbreak and the growing intensity of competition in the airline industry all point to difficult commercial times ahead," he added.
Two more 24-hour stoppages are planned for next Friday and Thursday, April 12th, the start of the Easter bank holiday weekend.
SIPTU vice-president Mr Jack O'Connor was unapologetic yesterday for the strike action. "It is not reasonable to expect our members to endure the implications for company viability and the security of employment resulting from settlements entered into with other groups, whilst simultaneously suffering less favourable terms as well."