Hired planes cover pilots' strike

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6952921.stm

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Aer Lingus is to hire planes from Ryanair to provide cover for a 48-hour strike planned by pilots next week.

The airline confirmed it had leased two aircraft and will pay full commercial rates for the planes. It is understood Ryanair will also provide the crew.

About 500 Aer Lingus pilots are to strike over plans to pay staff at its Belfast hub less than in the Republic of Ireland.

The Unite union has warned NI employees will not work for cheaper rates.

Earlier this week, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion said the company had already checked the legality of its policy.

The strike may pose a dilemma for some Ryanair pilots who belong to the Irish Airline Pilots Association, the same union as those who fly for Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus has chosen Belfast as its UK hub

It is understood a US-based union, the Allied Pilots' Association, which represents American Airlines' 12,000 pilots is sending a delegation to Ireland to support Aer Lingus pilots.

Aer Lingus is seeking to recruit up to 30 pilots for its Belfast International Airport operation, as part of a £100m investment.

The move has sparked protests in the Irish Republic, with fears of job losses at Shannon.

More than 50% of Aer Lingus is owned by Ryanair, the Irish State and the unions.

Ryanair has promised three additional flights from Shannon to various London airports if Aer Lingus closes the Heathrow route.

Ryanair has about a 28% stake in Aer Lingus.

Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said earlier this week that both Shannon and Belfast could still have London flights if Aer Lingus transferred its Dublin-Gatwick service north to Belfast.