US pilots' union supports Aer Lingus pilots

An American pilots' group has voiced its support for Aer Lingus pilots involved in a row with the company over pay and conditions at the new Belfast base.

The Allied Pilots Association says it will send a delegation to Ireland to provide assistance as pilots prepare to walk off the job on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Meanwhile the Aer Lingus row over the Shannon-Heathrow route shows no signs of abating.

Last night, more than 5,000 people turned out to protest at the airline's decision to axe their Shannon to Heathrow slots.

It comes after more than a week of meetings between business leaders and government officials to try and prevent the move.

Despite calls from newly formed business alliances and government ministers, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion has said that the company will not be going back on its decision to scrap the Shannon-Heathrow route.

He travelled to Shannon to meet the mid-west lobby groups who are opposing the move.

They are now threatening legal action if the airline does not reverse its decision.