A strike threat by Aer Lingus airline and airport staff will not have any immediate impact on travellers, unions said.

The Government will next week approve a guaranteed loan plan to bail out their troubled Aer Lingus airline - even though the European Commission looks likely to oppose the move.

The Government will step up pressure tomorrow for European permission to aid their troubled Aer Lingus airline.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has confirmed to the Dail that the government would oppose any call from Europe to end the stopover at Shannon airport.