All flights under threat as union backs strike

ALL flights out of the country could be grounded after air traffic controllers voted to strike following a dispute with the Irish Aviation Authority.

The row, the result of the company’s failure to provide jobs to 22 student controllers it spent €1.2 million training, could lead to the total shutdown of Irish airspace on September 15, disrupting 1,000 domestic flights and a further 1,000 overflights.

Controllers voted by 86.37% in favour of taking industrial action if the IAA dismisses the newly-qualified controllers on September 15, D-day for a company decision on their futures.