Talks aimed at averting Aer Lingus strike to begin

Efforts will today be made to avert planned strike action at Aer Lingus.

Thousands of passengers face disruption to their travel plans next week - unless a dispute over pilots' rosters can be resolved.

Aer Lingus says severe flight disruption is on the cards from next Tuesday if this row is not sorted out before then.

It centres on work rotas and pilot shortages, and the former flag carrier is warning it could have to cancel all services from next Tuesday if pilots down tools.

Some 30,000 passengers would be affected by such action every day.

Both Aer Lingus and the pilots' trade union IALPA have now accepted an invitation to attend negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).

Representatives from the company are due to attend this morning, while union officials will meet at the LRC tomorrow.