A message from Christoph Mueller, Chief Executive Officer
Dear Aer Lingus Customer
I am really sorry that you have had to endure uncertainty and disruption in relation to the Aer Lingus services in recent days, so soon after the massive disruptions caused by snow in December.
We believe our Cabin Crew are amongst the best in the world. They provide an excellent service to you our customers and have done so throughout our 75 year history, as ambassadors for the airline, and indeed for Ireland. Our cabin crew deserve appreciation from the company for their flexibility and dedication and I would like to publicly thank them for all they have done to keep the shamrock flying proudly throughout the globe for many years.
It is therefore extremely disappointing and frustrating that our staff have been so badly misled by the Impact Trade Union. This union has repeatedly refused to implement the Greenfield business recovery plan agreement, which 93% of crew signed up to almost a year ago.
We believe the majority of our cabin crew want to continue to do the great job for which they are internationally recognised, however the Impact trade union has led the Cabin Crew into escalating industrial action since last October. We have tried our very best over the past 15 weeks to protect you, our customers, from the effects of this ongoing industrial action however, earlier this week the situation became untenable.
In order to achieve the agreed productivity levels with cabin crew, which were endorsed by independent bodies, we had no option but to introduce new rosters and associated rules. Some of the Impact cabin crew union members have refused to operate these new rosters resulting in the situation we now face.
We sincerely regret the major disruption that this has caused to the travelling public.
In the coming days we will make every effort to minimise the disruption to passenger services by hiring-in aircraft from other airlines.
We will seek to put our customers first at all times and to get you to your desired destination despite the dispute.
I would like to thank you for your patience and loyalty during this difficult time.
Yours sincerely
Christoph Mueller
Chief Executive Officer
Aer Lingus