Madam, - On Sunday, January 1st last I and 180 others checked in for an Aer Lingus flight from Vienna to Dublin at 7pm. The flight was due to depart at 8.20pm. At 8.10, while we were waiting in the departure lounge, we were advised by the Aer Lingus handling agents that there was no aircraft available and we were ushered back through passport control to baggage claim and then to the check-in area where we were told the flight was cancelled.
We were also told that Aer Lingus had instructed the agents to announce it would not be providing overnight accommodation, transport or meals. An alternative flight would be arranged for the same time the following day.
We know how Aer Lingus has turned a lame duck into a profitable entity. But the EU Office of Consumer Affairs has been advised and is on the case. The arrogance of it. It is surely time that Aer Lingus was stripped of its national airline status. - Yours, etc,
EAMONN D. BRAIDEN, Athlone, Co Westmeath.