AER LINGUS pilots launched industrial action today, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and disrupting tens of thousands of journeys.

Pilots imposed work-to-rule actions, refusing to work overtime, accept changes in set rotas or take out-of-hours management requests. An eight-hour strike is planned on Saturday.

The flag carrier of Ireland and its pilots have been locked in a bitter dispute over pay, with pilots seeking an increase of 24 per cent to keep pace with inflation since their last pay raise in 2019.

Aer Lingus has said it is willing to offer pay increases of 12.5 per cent or more if “productivity and flexibility” are discussed.

Ireland Prime Minister Simon Harris said it is “absolutely vital” that a resolution is found.

“This dispute will be settled the same way every dispute is settled: compromise, engagement, sitting around a table. That’s what needs to happen,” Mr Harris said on Tuesday.