Eleven flights in and out of Cork airport this morning were facing cancellation or disruption as a result of the overnight closure of air traffic control services.
Airlines affected include Aer Lingus, Aer Arran and Ryanair, and flights affected are those that were scheduled to depart or arrive before 8am. Intending passengers and those meeting flights have been advised by the Irish Aviation Authority to contact the airlines directly for the latest information.
The closure of air traffic control services between midnight and 8am is the result of an ongoing dispute between the authority, which employs the air traffic controllers, and staff represented by trade union Impact.
The Irish Times understands this morning's difficulty centres around the unavailability of one, usually Dublin-based controller, whose regular 90-day permit for operating at Cork airport had not been renewed in time for shift work there.
A spokesman for Impact which lodged 14-day strike notice on Tuesday last, insisted there was "no collective decision by controllers at the airport to refuse overtime". He said there was also "no question of controllers refusing to complete their rostered work".
The spokesman said the airport had been closed "as a result of the decision by the Irish Aviation Authority because they do not have enough staff".
However, in a statement last night, the authority pinned the blame for the closure firmly on "further unofficial disruptive action by air traffic controllers".
The air traffic controllers are seeking enhanced overtime and changes to their roster. Both sides are in discussions at the Labour Relations Commission. Further talks are scheduled to take place on February 19th .
About a dozen flights at Shannon airport were affected by similar action earlier this month when no air traffic control service was available between 9pm and midnight.
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