Most Aer Lingus flights in and out of Ireland will be cancelled today by another 24-hour strike at the airline, the second in eight days.
About 17,000 of the 20,000 people normally carried by Aer Lingus each day will be affected by the strike by ground crew who are members of SIPTU. They are pursuing a "catch-up" pay claim with cabin crew.
Another 24-hour stoppage is due to take place next Thursday. As of now, there are no plans by SIPTU to escalate the dispute over the Easter bank holiday.
Only seven inbound flights from North America, five from Britain and one each from Amsterdam and Paris will operate today. There will be no outbound Aer Lingus flights from Dublin, Cork or Shannon.
Inbound flights from New York, Boston and Chicago, which do not arrive in Ireland until after the strike ends on Saturday morning, will operate. Passengers can ring the freefone number 180077 77 71 or check www.aerlingus.com for flight information.
Two flights by Iberia and one each by Crossair, Sabena and Tyrolean Airlines have been cancelled because they rely on Aer Lingus for ground handling. However, two other carriers which normally use Aer Lingus, Lufthansa and Finnair, have made alternative arrangements.
Intending passengers today have been offered a full refund, regardless of ticket conditions, immediate rebookings or cancellation and rebooking later with no penalties. This fulfils Aer Lingus's legal obligations.
The majority of passengers have rebooked flights on other days, according to the Aer Lingus public relations manager, Mr Declan Conroy. He had no figures on the number of Aer Lingus passengers accommodated by other carriers during previous stoppages, but said they had been "very small".
The Aer Lingus board is holding a special meeting on Monday to review the situation.
The Labour Court is expected to intervene early next week to try and avert further stoppages.