Aer Lingus No Longer Launch Customer for A321XLR Due to Pilot Pay Dispute

Aer Lingus, the flag carrier of Ireland, has been removed as the launch customer for the Airbus A321-200XLR by its parent company, IAG International Airlines Group. This decision follows unresolved disputes over pilot pay that have impacted the airline’s cost structure and investment returns. According to a statement provided to ch-aviation by IAG, Aer Lingus failed to provide the necessary assurances on its cost structure, prompting IAG to reassign the planned Airbus XLR delivery for September 2024 away from the Irish carrier.

IAG’s strategic approach focuses on making fleet investments that are commercially viable and yield significant returns. As a result of the ongoing uncertainties, no definitive plans have been made concerning future deliveries of the A321XLR, of which fourteen were ordered—six intended for Aer Lingus and eight for Iberia.

Iberia, another airline within the IAG group, is now set to receive the A321XLR in the fourth quarter of this year. Spanish newspaper El País highlighted potential routes for Iberia using the new aircraft, including destinations like Atlanta, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Charleston.

The A321XLR, with Iberia’s livery already adorning msn 11504, contrasts with msn 11348, which still features Aer Lingus decals despite the reassignment. This aircraft was initially rumored to be the first delivered of its type.

The backdrop to this shift involves ongoing wage negotiations between Aer Lingus and the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA), reported by ch-aviation in March. The dispute, now under Ireland’s Labour Court review, sees pilots demanding over a 20% pay raise, whereas Aer Lingus has offered a maximum of 8.5%.

This change in launch customer status for Aer Lingus comes as Airbus continues to garner interest in the A321XLR, with 496 firm orders in place. The aircraft type, designed for long-haul operations, has not yet received its type certificate. IndiGo Airlines remains the largest customer for this variant, with 69 orders.

The resolution of Aer Lingus’s role within IAG’s fleet strategy and the upcoming Labour Court recommendation will be pivotal in shaping the airline’s operational and financial strategy moving forward.