Aer Lingus threatens to suspend 350 baggage handlers

Aer Lingus is threatening to suspend 350 baggage handlers as part of the dispute over the airline's new check-in area at Dublin Airport.

The €15m 'Area 14' facility was due to open in the airport's basement last Tuesday to deal with passengers on Aer Lingus flights to the UK.

However, the opening was delayed after baggage handlers attached to SIPTU refused to co-operate due to health and safety concerns.

Those concerns were later addressed, but the SIPTU members are now seeking compensation for what they say is a deterioration in their working environment.

Area 14 can handle around 11,000 passengers and is designed to relieve some of the congestion from the check-in area on the ground floor of Dublin Airport.

Aer Lingus says it plans to open the facility this morning and will suspend any baggage handlers who refuse to co-operate.