Ryanair is planning to pay pilots at its new base in Belfast more than Aer Lingus pilots in Northern Ireland.
Figures released by Ryanair yesterday show that senior captains at its new base could earn nearly £11,000 more per annum than their counterparts at the new Aer Lingus operation.
Ryanair said its captains could receive up to £115,619 when basic pay and "sector" or performance allowances were combined.
Aer Lingus captains in Belfast have been offered maximum rates of £104,820, including "sector" pay.
For first officers in Belfast the maximum pay from Aer Lingus would be £59,100, while the equivalent rate in Ryanair would be £62,212 - over £3,000 more.
However, it is unclear how the salaries on offer from the two airlines compare in terms of other benefits such as pensions, health insurance, payment for training and uniforms.
Under proposals published last week Aer Lingus said that it would contribute 9 per cent of the pilots' salaries to a pension scheme.
Aer Lingus is set to open its new base at Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove in December. Ryanair is to start flying from George Best Belfast City Airport on October 30th.
Aer Lingus last week put forward new proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock in the dispute with its pilots over the establishment of the Belfast base.