Both Aer Lingus management and unions have accepted an invitation to talks at the Labour Relations Commission on Saturday. The talks are aimed at resolving the row which could ground all flights from Tuesday.
Management has threatened to suspend all pilots next week if they do not cooperate with setting up the airline's new base in Belfast.
If Aer Lingus goes ahead with its threat to suspend pilots from Tuesday, up to 15,000 passengers a day could face disruption to their travel plans.
This afternoon, LRC chief executive Kieran Mulvey invited the two sides into talks to start at 1pm on Saturday. He said this would be an opportunity to explore the positions of both sides to see if there was a basis for forming a settlement.
The Impact pilots' union had already indicated its readiness to attend - but warned that it was continuing to prepare for a lengthy dispute. Aer Lingus has now confirmed that it has received Mr. Mulvey's invitation and will also attend.
Meanwhile SIPTU has voiced concerns about the implications for its non-pilot members if the stoppage goes ahead. Branch organiser Teresa Hannick said management had told the union they could not state what would happen to other workers until next Monday evening.
