PILOTS AT Aer Lingus have voted in favour of industrial action in a row over rosters.

The news was contained within a trading statement where the airline warned that its profitability was dependent on cabin crew and pilots not taking industrial action that would disrupt operations.

The revelation that the pilots had held a ballot last week on industrial action came as cabin crew at the company commenced a work-to-rule action as part of a separate row over their roster arrangements.

The company yesterday upgraded its operating profit for this year, saying it would be “at the top end of market forecasts” before exceptional items, following “stronger than expected” trading in the third quarter – July to September – of this year.

This indicates that it expects to report an operating profit of about €40 million. Brokers’ forecasts range from €16 million at Bloxham to €41 million at NCB. The consensus is €27 million.

The Irish Airline Pilots Association, which is a branch of the trade union Impact, did not comment on the pilots’ vote yesterday. However, a ballot for industrial action was carried by members last week.

It is thought that pilots were concerned at roster arrangements which had been in place over the summer.

Some sources suggested that the ballot represented more of a warning shot to the company than an intent to engage in industrial action. Aer Lingus said that it had not received any notification of industrial action by the Irish Airline Pilots Association, which represents pilots at the airline.

The airline said last night that the work-to-rule action by cabin crew, which commenced yesterday, had not led to any delays or disruption to flight services.

As part of the industrial action, Impact has instructed its cabin crew members not to work on a rest day, to take full-meal breaks when they are due and not to work on the Washington/Madrid route. The union said this service was operated only by crew based in the Republic of Ireland on a voluntary basis and under working conditions that apply there.

The union said on Tuesday that it would take “responsive action”, up to and including a strike, if the airline attempted to take action against any member taking part in the industrial action commencing today.

Last week the airline warned cabin crew they could be removed from the payroll and face possible dismissal if they failed to comply with their published rosters.

The company argues that the new rosters are an essential part of a binding arbitration agreement on an overall €90 million cost-saving plan, which is known as Greenfield.

The union says the changes being sought go beyond the scope of the arbitration.

Shares in Aer Lingus closed down 1.3 per cent at €1.13 in Dublin last night in spite of the higher profit forecast.

Aer Lingus said trading in the third quarter, and particularly in September, was strong as a result of improved yields.

“Forward revenues suggest that October and November will also be ahead of expectations,” it added.

But Aer Lingus cautioned that “December and the first quarter of 2011 appear much weaker than anticipated”.

Aer Lingus said it could not say if this reflects a trend towards later bookings or represents an “underlying softness in demand”.

“Looking ahead to 2011, Aer Lingus shares the concern expressed recently by the International Air Transport Association and other commentators that the durability of the current aviation sector upturn is in increasing doubt in both Europe and North America and that growth will slow in 2011.”