Aer Lingus and DAA should boost pension fund

The panel that examined the €780m deficit in the aviation pension scheme yesterday said the solution it was suggesting provides the "final opportunity" for members to get their "optimum level of future pension provision".

The expert panel, appointed by the Government, Ibec, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to review issues with the Irish Aviation Superannuation scheme (IASS), recommended that Aer Lingus pay €146.7m towards the pensions of its current staff — €36.7m more than recommended by the Labour Court in 2013.

The Dublin Airport Authority was told it should pay €57.3m — €7m more than the court proposed.