Aer Lingus has been slammed after its CEO refused to appear before TDs to discuss flight cancellations and delays.
Green Party leader and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan is due to meet the airline on Thursday and is expected to raise the issue of lost luggage.
The Dail’s Transport Committee heard on Wednesday that the CEO of Aer Lingus, Lynne Embleton, refused to attend a hearing.
Read More: 'Over 500 bags a day being lost at Dublin Airport with problems mounting'
Chairman Kieran O’Donnell said the committee wanted to discuss very serious issues affecting the public and the refusal was “unacceptable”. He said the invitation would be reissued and he expected Ms Embleton to attend to answer questions next Wednesday.
He said: “Despite repeated requests of Aer Lingus, they have refused. We find that unacceptable. We are getting countless queries and complaints from passengers.
“They are a huge airline...and we would expect Aer Lingus to come before us next Wednesday. It’s the least they can do in terms of their customers, in terms of explaining to the public what the current position is.”
Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer said Aer Lingus’ response is “not acceptable” and told of an email he received from an Aer Lingus passenger early on Wednesday morning.
The passenger sat for three hours on a USA bound flight out of Dublin before passengers were told their flight would not be taking off and to wait for an email on further information.
The passenger accused Aer Lingus of “incompetence, arrogance and a lack of conern for passengers.”
Mr Buttimer told the Transport Committee that it was “not acceptable” that the committee was being held “in contempt” by the airline.
He added: “It is incredible that the airline which is responsible for the cancellation last week alone of 100 flights departing from Dublin Airport , the vast majority of flights cancelled from Dublin Airport, 70% are Aer Lingus.”
And said the airline must appear before the August Bank Holiday weekend.
It comes as Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the Defence Forces are remaining on standby to assist Dublin Airport, but hopes that they will not be needed.
He added: “It’s very interesting...Heathrow is cutting capacity.
“We face that choice, we had a choice; do you cut capacity, or do you try to look at other ways of making sure we keep things working.
“We took that second route, including having the Defence Forces on standby. I’m very glad they’re there.
“They’re able to provide that support for the next month. Please God we won’t need them.”
A spokeswoman for Aer Lingus said the airline would not be appearing before the Transport committee next Wednesday but they would be available at another date.
The statement read: “Aer Lingus advised the Transport and Communications Committee Chairman that representatives were unable to attend a Committee Meeting next week due to unavoidable existing commitments.
“Aer Lingus offered to attend a Committee meeting at a later date and to answer in writing any specific questions that the Committee had in advance of that meeting.”
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