Aer Lingus must account for continued cancellation chaos at committee appearance – Buttimer

Aer Lingus must give answers to the thousands of passengers let down by cancelled flights including new cancellations this weekend, Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer has said.

Aer Lingus management are due to appear before the Oireachtas Transport Committee this Tuesday, following calls for them to do so by Cork Senator Jerry Buttimer.

Senator Buttimer, a member of the transport committee, said, “Aer Lingus management have finally agreed to come before the Oireachtas Transport Committee this week and we will be looking for answers on behalf of the thousands of passengers let down by cancelled flights in recent weeks. We will also be seeking reassurances from the airline for all the people planning to travel in the coming weeks and months.

“Too many passengers have been left stranded with numerous flights cancelled almost every day this summer. Only this weekend, we now learn of further cancellations on transatlantic and European routes disrupting the travel plans of even more passengers.

“I know that the recent Covid surge has caused staffing difficulties for many airlines, but we really need to hear from Aer Lingus what they’re doing to address this ongoing problem.

Senator Buttimer concluded, “I know that daa have been working extremely hard in recent weeks to correct the problems experienced at the airport. Aer Lingus needs to play its part in ensuring scheduled flights depart and arrive when they are supposed to.

“We simply cannot afford any further reputational damage to the Irish aviation industry at this point. And hard-pressed families who have saved to go on holidays, visit loved ones abroad, or travel for work, need to be able to rely on their airline.”