Aer Lingus Chief Executive Willie Walsh has defended the airline's decision to stop carrying cargo on short-haul flights.
He told RTÉ radio that the amount of cargo carried by Aer Lingus on these routes was 'a drop in the ocean' and there were plenty of alternatives.
He said the move would not create 'any national crisis'.
Mr Walsh also said that a decision to withdraw from the One World alliance of airlines had not been taken, though this was being reviewed.
Responding to suggestions that some of the measures taken by the airline were not in the national interest, he said the national interest was best served by having a strong Aer Lingus.
On the question of ownership, Mr Walsh said management wanted clarity from the Government, but he said the issues facing the business would remain whatever was decided.
He said he would be staying on no matter what the Government decided.
Facilitator appointed
Meanwhile, SIPTU has welcomed the appointment of Kevin Foley to facilitate talks in the ongoing dispute at Aer Lingus.
Mr Foley, who is the new Director of Conciliation Services at the Labour Relations Commission, has agreed to act as facilitator as the dispute about the new business plan continues at the national carrier.
Welcoming his appointment, SIPTU's National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny said Mr Foley was well equipped to deal in a constructive and creative fashion with the issues that management and unions face.
