Summary

  • Aer Lingus has lost its second A321XLR to Iberia due to pay dispute and readiness concerns, impacting staff requirements.
  • Iberia became the launch operator and plans on offering long-haul transatlantic services from Madrid with the type.
  • The pay dispute with Aer Lingus pilots has resulted in both A321XLR allocation changes and implications on future IAG investment.

Aer Lingus

was poised to be the launch operator of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft, the longest-range variant of the A320 family. However, it since emerged that it was unable to take the first aircraft—expected in September—due to a pay dispute that made the induction of a new aircraft type a riskier feat. It has now become clear that this dispute has also impacted the delivery of the second example, originally slated to arrive at the end of this year.

Iberia is now confirmed as the launch operator and plans to induct the first plane during the third quarter due to certification delays, pushing the initial Q2 delivery date. Iberia plans to deploy the type on long-haul transatlantic services from Madrid to Boston-Logan and Washington-Dulles.

Aer Lingus no longer the launch operator

Aer Lingus was initially meant to deploy the A321XLR on its own transatlantic flights from Ireland, but was unable to convince its parent company, the International Airlines Group (IAG), that it was operationally prepared to take it on. A spokesperson had told the Irish Independent:

“Unfortunately, Aer Lingus was not able to give IAG the cost structure assurances necessary for this investment and so the inaugural A321XLR – originally planned for Aer Lingus – will be allocated elsewhere in the group.”

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1st Airbus A321XLR For Launch Customer Aer Lingus Spotted In Hamburg

It is expected to enter commercial service in the fourth quarter of this year.

The plane’s induction is part of an order for 14 placed by the International Airlines Group in 2019 at the Paris Air Show. Six of these aircraft were intended for Aer Lingus, and the remaining eight were for Iberia.

iberia-airbus-a321xlr

Photo: Airbus

The second aircraft now impacted

This year the airline planned to take two A321XLR aircraft, the first to be delivered in September and the second in November-December. The remaining four that it has on order are slated for 2025.

Aer Lingus staff had been informed earlier this week that it was unlikely the airline would take the second planned A321XLR as the decision on aircraft livery has to be made months in advance. Although this communication has not been made public, an airline spokesperson confirmed the following to the Irish Independent:

“On the same basis [as the first A321XLR] and given the deadline for a decision on painting was this week, the second XLR aircraft will not be painted in Aer Lingus livery and will remain available to be allocated elsewhere within the group.”

Given that there is only one other airline in the group that is expecting A321XLRs, Iberia is likely to take it as well.

The pay dispute

Aer Lingus’ pilot union, the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) had asked for a 23.8% increase in pay over three years, which included an increase to pay for a 2019 crewing deal. In response, the carrier had offered 12.25%.

A321XLR Giant QR Code Livery

Photo: Airbus

The Labour Court interim recommendation, which attempted to resolve the long-standing dispute, stood at 9.25%. This has now been put to a vote by Irish pilots, according to the union. IALPA said:

“The Labour Court recommendation will be put to a ballot of IALPA members in the coming days with a recommendation from the IALPA Executive that it be rejected.”

Aer Lingus, on the other hand, accepted the recommendation. The Workplace Relations Commission will study the cost of the crewing agreement in detail and is expected to provide an answer by the end of August.

Previous indications

Aer Lingus and IAG management have already hinted at the impact of the pay dispute on both the A321XLR induction and resulting staff requirements. In fact, Aer Lingus’ CEO Lynn Embleton told pilots in a letter in March that –should the first A321XLR not be delivered in September– the carrier’s pilot requirements would reduce by 80, and its command requirement by 40.

An Aer Lingus Airbus A321neo on an airport apron.

Photo: Peter Krocka | Shutterstock

IAG’s CEO Luis Gallego also warned about the potential impact of employee action and demands back in February, noting that the group would ultimately have to reconsider and shift investment to other more ‘stable’ airlines. Gallego said:

“As we have always said, our capital allocation and growth plans are based on being able to do so profitably and sustainably, and until those [pilot pay] discussions are concluded we will be limiting investment in Aer Lingus.”

He added that if a pay agreement is not reached, no A321XLR will be placed with the Irish flag carrier.


  • Iberia Airbus A350-941 EC-NDR

    Iberia

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    IB/IBE

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Madrid Barajas Airport

    Year Founded:
    1927

    Alliance:
    oneworld

    Airline Group:
    IAG

    CEO:
    Javier Sánchez-Prieto

    Country:
    Spain

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