SIPTU members have reacted with surprise to comments by the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, who said he believes a stock market flotation of Aer Lingus is the most favoured option for the national airline.
Mr Cullen said the Government hoped to reach a final decision next week.
However, SIPTU's National Industry Secretary, Michael Halpenny, said Mr Cullen had undertaken to meet with unions in advance of any Cabinet decision on the airline.
Union members are to conclude a protective ballot for industrial action on Thursday.
The IMPACT trade union has backed a sell-off subject to certain conditions.
Earlier, the airline's Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion, reiterated his hopes that Aer Lingus will be floated on the stock market before summer.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Mannion said that the ideal time would be before the end of June.
The Government decided to privatise the airline to help raise funds for the growth plans of the airline, which wants to expand its fleet at a cost of €2 billion.
New route to Dubai launched
Meanwhile, Aer Lingus has begun a new route from Dublin to Dubai.
The first flight of the service, which is to run three times a week, took off from Dublin Airport at 11am this morning.
The service is expected to carry 70,000 passengers in its first year of operation.
This is Aer Lingus’s first new long haul route outside its transatlantic service.
The company has also signed an agreement with the airline, Emirates, which will enable passengers to fly on to 21 further destinations in the Southern Hemisphere from Dubai.
The flights from Dublin to Dubai will take seven hours.
