RTÉ News has learnt that Ryanair is planning to pay its pilots based in Belfast higher salaries than Aer Lingus pilots.
A spokesperson for Ryanair confirmed that between basic pay and allowances, its most senior captains could earn almost £11,000 sterling more than their Aer Lingus counterparts.
But as yet it is unclear to what extent that gap would be narrowed by other benefits - including pensions - enjoyed by Aer Lingus staff.
The figures seen by RTE are based on combining basic pay and and allowances known as 'sector pay'. The maximum pay on offer so far from Aer Lingus for a first officer would be £59,100 sterling.
The equivalent rate in Ryanair would be £62,212. Aer Lingus captains have been offered a maximum salary of £104,820. Ryanair's maximum captain's salary would be £115,619 - almost £11,000 more.
But it is not clear how the two salaries would compare in terms of other benefits like pensions, health insurance and payment for training and uniforms.
For example, Aer LIngus is committed to contributing 9% of the pilots' salaries to a pension scheme.
The Irish Airline Pilots Association said it would not comment on these figures until it had examined them in detail, particularly as it was negotiating Belfast salaries with Aer LIngus.
But if Ryanair stands by this offer, it seems inevitable that pilot negotiators will toughen their stance in pursuit of a better package from Aer Lingus, which plans to start operating from Belfast on December 10.
