Aer Lingus pilots offer to cancel two-day strike

Aer Lingus pilots have offered to call off their plans to go on strike for two days from midnight tonight.

The Irish Airline Pilots Association was planning to mount the strike in protest at the airline's decision to hire new pilots in Belfast on lesser terms and conditions than those enjoyed in the Republic.

However, the union said today that it would abandon the action if Aer Lingus agrees to attend discussions chaired by the Labour Relations Commission.

Last night, Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion called on the pilots to halt the strike and agree to new talks.