The Taoiseach has appealed to both sides in the Aer Lingus dispute to "find a way out of the impasse".
Speaking in Dublin Airport, Mr Ahern said the company's balance sheet was weak and that the company was not in a position to take any external shocks.
"It is self evident that everybody has to play a part in the viability plan," he added. "I hope that sanity will prevail and that people will see the bigger picture"
Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, Mr Paul O'Toole said the situation poses a serious threat to the Irish tourism industry, which is worth €3.4 billion and employs in excess of 150,000 people.
"We have already lost 20 per cent of direct capacity from the US this year and Irish tourism cannot afford to lose more air seats", he said.
"As we now enter the main tourist season, it is vital there is a speedy resolution to this dispute, as any delay would seriously damage the livelihoods of the many thousands dependent on the Irish tourism industry", he added.
Earlier, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) called for immediate Government intervention to resolve the Aer Lingus dispute before "serious damage is caused to the Irish tourist industry".
With a one-day pilots’ strike due to take place tomorrow and the airline saying they are not in a position to operate on Friday either, the IHF’s Chief Executive, Mr John Power, said it was imperative that Ireland had reliable air access.
He said that the current situation, if not solved, would seriously threaten the 2002 tourism season and put many of the 150,000 jobs in the sector at risk.
"The tourist industry is already struggling from the aftermath of 2001, where F&M and September 11th have resulted in this year being most difficult and well down on expectations," said Mr Power.
He said that the end of May and early June is a critical time for overseas tourism, particularly from the US. "A major impact so early in the season will create serious problems for many business – as was so evident by F&M last year."
Mr Power also said that a very negative image of Ireland is being portrayed abroad by this strike action.
"Many of the travellers disrupted by threatened events will cancel their visit to Ireland. They will switch to other competing locations for their holiday or short breaks," he said.
"The Government must intervene. It must get directly involved and use the appropriate machinery necessary to resolve this dispute to ensure the continuation of Aer Lingus as a viable and reliable air carrier," said Mr Power.
