Aer Lingus optimistic all flights will operate

Aer Lingus is advising passengers to turn up for flights today and says it hopes to operate a full service.

Aer Lingus is advising passengers to turn up for flights today and says it hopes to operate a full service.

However, the company's 400 caterers at Dublin Airport plan to set up pickets from 5.30 a.m. in the hope that loaders and cleaners and clerical and other staff will not report for work.

There are indications that Dublin Bus drivers and taxi-drivers in SIPTU may take passengers only as far as the picket lines at the approaches to the airport.

The caterers' union, SIPTU, has instructed other members to work normally but not to do the work of catering staff. "However, we fully understand that members will have strong feelings of support for their colleagues in dispute," the union notice says, "and may not wish to report for work. In such circumstances, the union will fully defend their rights."