‘They have played their strong hand now and lost’: Aer Lingus dispute becomes nasty dogfight – but sources say the pilots moved too quickly

Behind the scenes of the bitter strike lie big questions over the future of the airline

Aer Lingus pilots march around Dublin Airport as eight-hour strike begins

Fearghal O'Connor

On Friday afternoon, at around the same time the Labour Court was inviting Aer Lingus management and the Fórsa trade union, parent of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa), to yet another round of talks, Captain Mark Tighe sat facing a camera alone.

Behind him was a picture of an old Aer Lingus Boeing 747, painted in a livery that recalled its glory days as the national airline. Dressed in his Aer Lingus shirt, tie and epaulettes, he looked grave, authoritative and resolute — like a general addressing his soldiers before a great battle.