Aer Lingus has stated that its bookings were beginning to suffer as the dispute over cabin crew working hours rumbles on. Colm Barrington, chairman of the Irish airline, confirmed to Irish TV news channel RTE, that bookings were down: "It has had a negative impact on bookings ... People hate uncertainty. Last year we had the ash, then the snow in the winter and now this."
Until the strike ends, Barrington said it was impossible calculate the precise financial cost of the dispute. The airline and Impact, the union representing cabin crew, agreed last week to arbitration.