Aer Lingus pilots, who are members of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA), have passed a motion of no confidence in the airline’s Chief Executive Lynne Embleton and its Chief Operations Officer Adrian Dunne.
The unanimous vote was taken at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of IALPA members this evening.
The row relates to the suspension of an Aer Lingus captain last week, which IALPA has described as “unprecedented”.
According to the union, the purpose of this evening’s meeting was to discuss safety concerns of Aer Lingus pilots and “interference” from management in the operation of aircraft while in flight.
“The Aer Lingus pilot members of IALPA in their professional capacity as frontline guardians of aviation safety for all and in their promotion of ‘safety first’ at all times, have no confidence in Chief Executive Officer Lynne Embelton and Chief Operations Officer Adrian Dunne,” the motion stated.
Aer Lingus said in a statement that the motion has no effect, but that the decision to propose it to IALPA membership was “entirely inappropriate”.
“There are two separate ongoing processes underway, a safety investigation following receipt of a safety report and a fact finding process following concerns raised by an employee,” an Aer Lingus spokesperson said.
“Both of these processes are being run in accordance with the procedures applicable to them and it is important that the confidentiality and integrity of the processes are not subject to any outside interference.”
“The IALPA EGM and the motions proposed represent an attempt to interfere in these processes,” the airline said.
The President of IALPA Captain Mark Tighe said the union will consider all legal options to protect its members and to ensure aviation safety.
“The processes referred to by Aer Lingus are in regard to an individual pilot and are not the subject of the no confidence motion,” Captain Tighe said.
“The motion was solely brought about due to executive management’s interference in an operational flight and the CEO’s indifference to that issue, among other ongoing safety issues,” he added.
