Further disruption of early morning flights at Cork is expected again today due to the air traffic controllers' dispute.
In a statement yesterday afternoon, the Irish Aviation Authority said: "Due to a reported sick absence by an air traffic controller and the unwillingness of other controllers to cover this absence, there will be no air traffic services at Cork airport between midnight [last night] and 8am . It is expected that one aircraft, which is scheduled to arrive after midnight . . . and five early morning departures, will be affected.
"The Irish Aviation Authority regrets the inconvenience to the travelling public. Intending passengers are advised to contact their airline for further information."
Further talks are scheduled to take place on February 19th between the authority and Impact, the controllers' union, in an attempt to find a resolution to this ongoing dispute.
At Shannon airport, the controllers did not provide cover between 6pm and 9pm on Thursday night but no major disruption was reported.
Flights in and out of Cork airport were back to their normal schedule by mid-afternoon yesterday after the air traffic controllers' dispute impacted early morning flights.
Several hundred passengers were affected by the air traffic controllers' action which took place from midnight on Thursday until 8am yesterday at Cork airport. Delayed flights were able to start taking off 20 minutes after the controllers resumed work.
Air traffic controllers are refusing to work overtime in a dispute with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) over "chronic staff shortages".
Airlines affected include Aer Lingus, Aer Arann and Ryanair. Eight flights at Cork airport were delayed yesterday morning as a result of the ongoing air traffic controllers' dispute.
Passengers had mixed views about the dispute, with a large number saying that, while they understood the air traffic controllers' point of view, they were annoyed by the disruption to service.
Kevin Cullinane, marketing manager at Cork airport, said staff did everything in their power to minimise the disruption to passengers.
"People heeded the advice we gave them yesterday and we thank them for their co-operation. People checked in on time. Obviously there may be knock-on effects throughout the day for passengers. Cork airport, in conjunction with the airlines, will get flights under way as quickly as possible. The best advice would be for passengers to arrive early."
Passengers began boarding flights at 7am yesterday and the flights stated to leave the airport.
Flights to Prague, Amsterdam, Belfast, London and Munich were due to take off from 6.30am yesterday.