The Government was tonight accused of sitting idly by as two flagship employers in the aviation industry announced job cuts.

Workers at leading aircraft maintenance firm SR Technics will meet senior management today amid fears of devastating job losses at its Dublin base.

THE 1,200 staff at airline maintenance firm SR Technics’ Irish operation will find out this morning whether they are to lose their jobs at Dublin Airport.

FEARS were raised of the possibility of further massive job losses last night when an aircraft maintenance firm which employs more than 1,200 people in Ireland confirmed it had lost a big contract.

The number of people claiming jobless benefits jumped by 71% last year and the total is set to breach the 300,000 barrier in coming weeks, alarming figures showed today.

Aircraft maintenance firm SR Technics has confirmed that it has lost one of its largest customers.

The inaugural direct flight from Dublin to Abu Dhabi in the Middle East by Etihad Airways takes off today.

Gulf Air is to cease operating on the Dublin to Bahrainroute from July 1, 2007.

Gulf Air it is to cease operating its thrice-weekly Dublin to Bahrain route from July 1 this year, it was announced.

Gulf Air will drop three destinations, including Dublin, and may replace three planes it owns with leased aircraft to cut costs, the state-owned company's vice chairman said on Wednesday.

The first-ever direct flights between Dublin and Abu Dhabi are set to begin this August.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has today announced it is to extend its contract to host the FIA Formula One World Championship and stage the Bahrain Grand Prix into the long term future.

SWISSAIR is offering special fares from Dublin to a range of long-haul destinations (via Zurich). Bookings must be made before October 31, for travel to be completed by January 31.

Workers at Lebanon’s only airport today prepared to receive a full flow of commercial flights as Israel pledged to lift an air and sea blockade imposed nearly two months ago when the war with Hezbollah guerrillas erupted.

STENA LINE has teamed up with a Dublin radio station to offer an exciting night of entertainment aboard a ferry next Friday, June 30.

TOPFLIGHT, recently voted Ireland’s leading ski tour operator, has launched a skiing/snowboarding preview brochure and is offering special deals to those who book early.

GULF AIR reported strong improvements in key performance indicators during the first quarter of 2006, as its two-hub strategy took effect.

GULF AIR has signed a year-long sponsorship deal with the Kuwait Irish Society.

Tourism Ireland is using this week's trade mission to India to attract tourists from India's burgeoning new market.

RYANAIR announced a new route from Dublin to Lodz, the second largest city of Poland yesterday.

Gulf Air has launched a direct service from Bahrain to Johannesburg, allowing Irish travellers to travel from Dublin straight through to the South African capital.

A Gulf Air Boeing-332 en route from London made an emergency landing in north-western Iran this morning after its cockpit reported a passenger’s heart failure, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Middle Eastern airline Gulf Air has announced the launch of Dublin’s first scheduled services to the Middle East.

Aer Lingus has announced the addition of five new routes to its winter schedule.

OTHER candidates for the top job at BA to be filled by former Aer Lingus boss Willie Walsh were Cathay Pacific chief operating officer Tony Tyler and James Hogan, a former BMI executive who runs Gulf Air.

British Airways has begun the search for a new chief executive to replace Australian boss Rod Eddington later this year, it was reported today.