Belfast cabin crew grounded by Brexit
by Niall Shanahan
 
Fórsa official Eugene Gargan said the impact of Aer Lingus losing the route has had a hugely disruptive effect on the small number of dedicated and professional Aer Lingus cabin crew based in Belfast
Fórsa official Eugene Gargan said the impact of Aer Lingus losing the route has had a hugely disruptive effect on the small number of dedicated and professional Aer Lingus cabin crew based in Belfast

Aer Lingus cabin crew members of Fórsa, based in Belfast, are being redeployed to new duties in Belfast and Dublin, due to consequences related to Brexit.

 

The redeployment measures became necessary as the airline’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC) expires at the end of October, which will affect the busy Aer Lingus route between Belfast and London Heathrow.

 

The Aer Lingus parent company, IAG, has been prohibited by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from operating internal domestic flights using ‘non-UK based’ carriers. Consequently, the route is to be taken over by British Airways, which is also part of the IAG group.

 

Fórsa official Eugene Gargan said the impact of Aer Lingus losing the route has had a hugely disruptive effect on the small number of dedicated and professional Aer Lingus cabin crew based in Belfast: “This is, unfortunately, another unforeseen and disastrous consequence of Brexit.

 

“The cabin crew in Belfast were offered the option of redeployment to Manchester or Dublin, or to other duties in Belfast. Of the 30 crew based there, 13 will be redeployed to customer support in Belfast, 14 will redeploy to the airline’s base in Dublin, and three have opted to avail of a period of unpaid leave.

 

“These are a group of workers who have helped the company establish a prosperous route between Belfast and London. As a consequence of the disruptive effect of Brexit on integrated flight operations across Europe, the crew have lost remuneration, absorbed increased working costs and endured disruption to their home and work lives,” he said.

 

Eugene said the union had worked closely with the Belfast crew to secure alternative work once Aer Lingus ceases operations on the route, and paid tribute to how the Belfast-based crew stuck together in the face of very difficult changed circumstances.

 

It’s never been more important – or easier – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

LikeLike (2) | Facebook Twitter