World Cup supporters who have left it to the last minute to travel to Japan could have their plans disrupted if a threatened strike by Aer Lingus pilots goes ahead next Thursday.
Up to 6,000 people are travelling to the World Cup but the vast majority of fans will have left for Japan before Thursday.
Ray Treacy Travel estimates that about 90 of its customers could be affected by the dispute. The travel agency is taking about 400 supporters to Japan. Two groups totalling 150 people are flying out on Wednesday and a further 90 are booked in on Thursday. If the strike goes ahead, the agency will try to include the 90 passengers in the earlier flights.
Friday would be too late for supporters as the Republic of Ireland's first match against Cameroon is on Saturday.
Irish supporters travelling with Stephen's Green Classic Sports Travel will not be affected by the threatened strike, according to the travel agency. Over 500 people are travelling to Japan with the firm, with most taking the State's first ever chartered flight to Japan on Wednesday morning.
Aer Lingus pilots gave notice of the strike on Wednesday, after a colleague was suspended for refusing to comply with new work practices.
IMPACT members rejected the new working practices in a ballot more than a week ago. One of the most contentious issues was a reduction in the rest time between shifts. Yesterday, at the IMPACT conference in Cork, members passed an emergency motion endorsing the pilots' stance.
Mr Michael Landers, IMPACT's assistant general secretary said the pilots were available to talk to Aer Lingus, but management had refused the offer.
An Aer Lingus spokeswoman said the company had been involved in discussions for six months and had now exhausted all negotiation processes.
