Cork TD: Government Must Tell Aer Lingus That Airline Cannot Continue To Receive Pandemic Supports From State Without Binning Plans To Temporarily Layoff Cork Workers

Tuesday, 22 June 2021 13:28

In May, Aer Lingus announced a three month closure of its base at Cork Airport, and the permanent closure of its Shannon base

198 crew and ground staff in Cork will be laid off without pay between September and November.

Eight regional routes from Cork Airport were also lost following the collapse of Stobart Air last week.

Speaking to RedFM News, Deputy Mick Barry said that those Cork Airport workers need to be kept on the books:

"It's all very well to have Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs telling us all morning that they're raising the issue of Cork Airport in the Dáil. The real issue, the real question is when is the government going to tell Aer Lingus that, if you want to get continued pandemic support payments from the state, you are going to have to bin your plans to put 200 Cork workers on temporary layoff in September, and keep those workers on the books instead."