Union calls for ‘meaningful’ increase for Aer Lingus pilots as pay row rolls on

Aer Lingus should offer pilots a “meaningful pay increase” after confirming that it earned E225m profit last year, the pilots’ union said on Friday. The carrier reported that profits grew 400% last year to E225m, but Luis Gallego, CE of its owner International Airlines Group (IAG), warned that it would stall investment in the Irish company until a pay row with pilots was resolved. Responding to the comments, first officer Daniel Langan, vice-president of finance of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa), said it was “incumbent on Aer Lingus management to offer a meaningful pay increase to its pilots” that reflected inflation and its strong financial performance. Ialpa welcomed the growth and profits that Aer Lingus announced on Thursday, Langan added, and was committed to aiding management in expanding the business.<br/>