Up in the air - Still time to resolve air disputes

ONCE again, yet again, anyone planning to use an Irish airport next week must put their plans on hold because of the prospect of a strike by two groups of workers.

As any frequent flyer will tell you air travel can be uncomfortable, frustrating and, when unexplained delays are involved, infuriating. All of that could get worse, and more expensive, next week for the estimated 90,000 people who hope to fly in or out of Ireland.

Notice of a one-day stoppage by air traffic controllers has been served on the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for next Thursday with the objective of stopping all flights to or from Ireland. This is a significant veto, and one that has the potential to cause damage to the economy and the country’s business reputation, utterly disproportionate to the issues at hand.