Emerald Airlines pilots agree pay deal

Members of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) employed by Emerald Airlines - which operates the Aer Lingus Regional brand - have voted in favour of a new collective agreement covering pay, allowances, and career progression.

The ballot - which was approved by 93% of pilots - will remain in force until February 2030.

The agreement includes pay increases of up to 20% for captains, as well as salary improvements for first officers across all experience levels.

The package also provides enhanced payments for productivity, improved command upgrade provisions, increased allowances, expanded loss of licence protection, improved pension contributions for captains, and new part-time working arrangements.

Emerald Airlines operates the Aer Lingus Regional service, which includes flights from Cork to Bristol and Glasgow in the UK.

Captain Aidan Rothwell, Chairperson of IALPA at Emerald Airlines, said the result was “significant” for members.

“These negotiations were conducted professionally and constructively, and I would like to thank our members for their engagement throughout the process. I also wish to acknowledge the work of the IALPA negotiating team and Emerald Airlines management in reaching an agreement that provides certainty for the year ahead,” he said.

The collective agreement between IALPA and Emerald Airlines initially emerged as a result of a dispute in 2023, when Emerald Airlines refused to recognise IALPA, despite its contract with Aer Lingus stipulating this as mandatory.

Pilots engaged in a strict work-to-rule in the summer of 2023, which included pickets at Emerald Airlines offices in Dublin Airport.