Flights disrupted by strike action

An unofficial one-hour strike at Dublin airport has cause disruption to Aer Lingus passengers today.

The action by ground staff between 6am and 7am was causing long delays to both arriving and departing flights. Passengers were experiencing delays of up to two hours but were are advised to check in as normal.

Meanwhile, Ryanair was forced to cancel flight to Charleroi airport near Brussels this weekend because of strike action at the airport. Flights have been cancelled today until 1pm Irish time on Monday.

The company issued a statement last night apologising to intending passengers.

It blamed "unlawful strike action by security staff at Brussels Charleroi airport who are employed by the Walloon Government".

"The security staff withdrew their service today without notice and as a result no Ryanair staff or passengers have been allowed to pass from landside to airside at Charleroi airport. The security staff have also prevented all Ryanair passengers from entering the terminal building at Charleroi," the statement said.

The company said it was notified this evening by Charleori Airport management that because talks between the parties had broken down security at the airport could not be guaranteed.

"It is unacceptable that the travel plans of 15,000 passengers over a busy weekend can be disrupted by the unlawful actions of a small number of airport security staff," the statement added.

Passengers booked on any cancelled flights may rebook free of charge on the Ryanair web site www.ryanair.com or through the call centre on +32 16 271 006.