Aer Lingus Loses 2nd Airbus A321XLR Launch To Iberia Over Ongoing Pilot Pay Dispute

Summary

• Aer Lingus has lost its second A321XLR to Iberia because of a pay dispute and readiness concerns, which have impacted staff requirements.
• Iberia became the launch operator and plans on offering long-haul transatlantic services from Madrid with the kind.
• The pay dispute with Aer Lingus pilots has resulted in each A321XLR allocation changes and implications on future IAG investment.

Aer Lingus was poised to be the launch operator of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft, the longest-range variant of the A320 family. Nevertheless, it couldn’t take the primary aircraft—expected in September—because of a pay dispute that made the induction of a brand new aircraft type a riskier enterprise for the airline’s parent company. This dispute has now also impacted the delivery of the second aircraft of this sort, originally slated to reach at the top of this yr.

Iberia is now confirmed because the launch operator and plans to induct the primary plane in the course of the third quarter because of certification delays, pushing the initial Q2 delivery date. Iberia will deploy the A321XLR on long-haul transatlantic services from Madrid to Boston-Logan and Washington-Dulles.

Aer Lingus is not any longer the launch operator

Aer Lingus was initially meant to deploy the A321XLR by itself transatlantic flights from Ireland but was unable to persuade its parent company, the International Airlines Group (IAG), that it was operationally prepared to take it on. A spokesperson told the Irish Independent:

“Unfortunately, Aer Lingus was unable to present IAG the price structure assurances obligatory for this investment and so the inaugural A321XLR – originally planned for Aer Lingus – might be allocated elsewhere within the group.”

The plane’s induction is a component of an order for 14 placed by the International Airlines Group in 2019 on the Paris Air Show. Six of those aircraft were intended for Aer Lingus, and the remaining eight were for Iberia.

The second aircraft now impacted

This yr, the Irish airline planned to take two A321XLR aircraft, the primary to be delivered in September and the second in November-December. The remaining 4 on order are slated for 2025.

Aer Lingus staff had been informed earlier this week that it was unlikely the airline would take the second planned A321XLR as the choice on aircraft livery needs to be made months upfront. Although this communication has not been made public, an airline spokesperson confirmed the next to the Irish Independent:

“On the identical basis [as the first A321XLR] and given the deadline for a choice on painting was this week, the second XLR aircraft is not going to be painted in Aer Lingus livery and can remain available to be allocated elsewhere inside the group.”

On condition that just one other airline within the group expects A321XLRs, Iberia will likely take the plane.

The pay dispute

Aer Lingus’ pilot union, the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA), had asked for a 23.8% increase in pay over three years, including a rise to pay for a 2019 crewing deal. In response, the carrier offered 12.25%.

The Labour Court interim suggestion, which attempted to resolve the long-standing dispute, stood at 9.25%. This has now been put to a vote by Irish pilots, in accordance with the union. IALPA said:

“The Labour Court suggestion might be put to a ballot of IALPA members in the approaching days with a suggestion from the IALPA Executive that it’s rejected.”

Aer Lingus, then again, accepted the suggestion. The Workplace Relations Commission will study the price of the crewing agreement intimately and is anticipated to offer a solution by the top of August.

Previous indications

Aer Lingus and IAG management have already hinted on the impact of the pay dispute on each the A321XLR induction and resulting staff requirements. The truth is, Aer Lingus’ CEO Lynn Embleton told pilots in a letter in March that –should the primary A321XLR not be delivered in September– the carrier’s pilot requirements could be reduced by 80, and its command requirement by 40.

IAG’s CEO Luis Gallego also warned in regards to the potential impact of worker motion and demands back in February, noting that the group would ultimately should reconsider and shift investment to other more ‘stable’ airlines. Gallego said:

“As now we have all the time said, our capital allocation and growth plans are based on having the ability to accomplish that profitably and sustainably, and until those [pilot pay] discussions are concluded we might be limiting investment in Aer Lingus.”

He added that no A321XLR might be placed with the Irish flag carrier if a pay agreement is just not reached.

• 

  Iberia

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  IB/IBE

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Madrid Barajas Airport

  Yr Founded:

  1927

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  Airline Group:

  IAG

  CEO:

  Javier Sánchez-Prieto

  Country:

  Spain