Joint Committee on Transport expresses its deep disappointment & frustration with Aer Lingus after the airline indicated that its CEO, Ms Lynne Embleton, are not available to meet next week

The Committee has been very concerned about the difficulties that have been arising in Dublin airport in recent months. It recently met daa (Dublin Airport Authority) in relation to those difficulties, following which daa took steps to manage the challenges, particularly over the busy Summer period. However, problems continue to persist in relation to delayed and cancelled Aer Lingus flights and lost baggage, and the Committee sought to meet Aer Lingus and its CEO, Ms Lynne Embleton, to consider these difficulties.

The Cathaoirleach of the Committee, Mr Kieran O’Donnell, TD, stated that “members of the Committee are very concerned about the severe ongoing disruption to both individual and business passenger with the on-going cancellation of Aer Lingus flights. The Committee believes that there is an obligation on those providing services at Dublin airport to appear at our Committee to discuss the up to-date position.

“There is a strong agreement among members of the Committee that there is an immediate need for Aer Lingus and its CEO, Ms Lynne Embleton, as one of the major airlines serving Dublin airport, to come before the Committee next week to fully explain the up-to-date position with regard to cancellation of Aer Lingus flights and their plans to address this on-going uncertainty and severe disruptions for passengers”.

“Previously, Ms. Embleton and Aer Lingus management appeared before our Committee on 22nd June last year, and we very much supported the significant Covid19 state supports extended to Aer Lingus at the time. We now as a Committee wish to have a further engagement with Ms Embleton on the current problems that have arisen in respect of the cancellation of Aer Lingus flights”.  

“Accordingly, I will be issuing a formal invitation to the Ms. Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, this afternoon to a meeting with the Committee next week. We would ask that Ms. Embleton and the airline respond positively to this invitation.