Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh has defended the airline's decision to stop carrying cargo on short-haul flights.
He told RTE 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 'won't 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 the issue 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.
* Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission is to act as facilitator for talks between management and unions at Aer Lingus over the airline's business plan.
SIPTU's national industrial secretary, Michael Halpenny, welcomed the appointment.
Talks are due to get underway again next week and are scheduled to conclude by the middle of October.
