A number of Aer Arann flights were either cancelled or delayed due to the strike by air traffic controllers at airports across the country yesterday.
The dispute between the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA ) and its air traffic controllers caused huge disruption to flights in and out of the country. Dublin and Shannon airports were shut between 2pm and 6pm while Cork Airport was shut from 4pm to 6pm.
The work stoppages had a knock-on effect at regional airports with many domestic flights being cancelled or delayed. According to a statement received yesterday from Aer Arann there were disruptions to flights in and out of Galway as well as to many flights at other airports. Aer Arann stressed that the disruption was outside the airline’s control and that the IAA controls Irish airspace and as such all flights, including those to and from regional airports, were subject to disruption.
Aer Arann was forced to cancel five flights between Dublin and Cork, Dublin and Donegal, and Galway and Dublin. Delays were experienced on a further 15 flights which included destinations such as Dublin to Isle of Man, Sligo to Dublin, Manchester to Galway, Galway to Luton, and Dublin to Cardiff.
Trade union Impact, representing the air traffic controllers, blamed the IAA for the stoppage. The IAA suspended 12 air traffic controllers for refusing to co-operate with new working arrangements.
