Airlines announce new jobs

AFTER five years of cutting staff numbers to promote its competitiveness, Aer Lingus has announced an expansion of its global service with the creation of 400 new jobs.

The airline, currently in a battle with trade unions over cost-cutting measures, has already started generating the jobs.

“We are going to be taking on about 400 cabin crew and pilots this year,” said commercial director Enda Corneille.

“We are going to be taking delivery of two long-haul aircraft in May and June and two short-haul aircraft in December.

“We have classes graduating every week from early February.”

Aer Lingus currently has close to 3,500 staff, 3,000 less than five years ago.

Meanwhile, Ryanair yesterday said it will create 5,000 jobs across Europe as a result of receiving 10 new aircraft, worth $700 million (€530.1m) over the next two months.

The company said the new planes will result in the creation of 50 new routes.

Head of communications Peter Sherrard said: “Ryanair’s $700m investment will create 5,000 jobs across Europe as we expand our existing bases at Barcelona Girona, East Midlands, London Stansted and launch our second German base in Bremen.

“Ryanair is starting 50 new routes all over Europe in the coming months.”