Aer Lingus to axe 676 jobs

Published on Wednesday 7 October 2009 20:56

AER Lingus management and trade unions were facing a bitter dispute last night over plans for 676 job cuts and 100 million (£92m) of cost savings.

The Irish airline is targeting lay-offs among pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, warning that the redundancies are needed in order to compete with rivals.

Siptu, Ireland's largest union, said the proposals were an over-reaction to the downturn, while fellow union Impact said the cuts were radical and severe.

Some 489 cuts will hit pilots, ground handlers and cabin crew, with a further 187 redundancies at Aer Lingus's head office and in support areas.

Aer Lingus said it could not continue with operating costs involving 3,879 staff and insisted redundancies were essential.