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Aer Lingus will temporarily lay off its 129 ground and cabin crew at Shannon Airport for three months, from Monday 8 March to June.
The aviation sector has been particularly affected by the Covid health crisis and there have been no Aer Lingus flights from Shannon since last April.
The staff had been on the temporary wage subsidy scheme and more recently the employment wage subsidy. Now workers will receive pandemic unemployment pay for the three months of layoffs.
In a statement today, Aer Lingus said that full-year results released last Friday showed the airline posted an operating loss of € 361 million in 2020.
“This represents the largest loss in the history of the airline and demonstrates the profound impact of Covid-19.”
Aer Lingus said it has completed a review of Shannon’s operation, and on the basis that they have not operated flights to or from Shannon since April 5, 2020, the airline concluded that it was not sustainable to continue the roster of personnel to current levels when no work was available.
The company said the unpaid temporary layoff on March 8 may “be subject to further extension or change based on job requirements at Shannon.”
SIPTU Aviation Sector Chief Neil McGowan, who represents the ground and ramp staff at Shannon, said it was devastating news for staff.
He said the measure underpins the need for more government support for the aviation sector, as he said it is clear that it will be the last sector to recover from this crisis.
Clare Fianna Fáil TD and aviation spokeswoman Cathal Crowe said it was a real blow to the workers and to the region.
“I have engaged with the airline and colleagues in government to see if more supports can be put in place so that Shannon-based workers are not left in the bread line,” he said.
Sen. Timmy Dooley tweeted that the temporary layoffs were another blow to the Midwest’s aviation and tourism sectors, and that more government action is required.
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