Tourist industry urges pilots to refrain from striking

The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation is calling on Aer Lingus pilots not to go ahead with their planned strike action this Tuesday.

Pilots at the airline are to proceed with industrial action, after talks with management in a dispute over rosters broke down at the Labour Relations Commission on Friday night.

Aer Lingus said it is giving all effected passengers until Friday, June 10, the opportunity to change their flight date for free, or cancel their flight and receive a full refund.

It is expected up to 30,000 passengers per day will be effected and it is claimed it could cost the tourism sector millions.

CEO of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation Eamon McKeon said the strike action is likely to undo some of the country's recent spell of good publicity.