Aer Lingus UK cabin crew have escalated industrial action by announcing more strike dates, in a further blow to holidaymakers travelling through Manchester Airport next month.

Almost 130 Unite members working for the airline will stage walkouts on 9-11, 14 and 16-18 November, in addition to the strikes already scheduled from 30 October to 18 November.

British employees, including check-in staff and cabin crew, for the airline have called the strikes amid a dispute over pay and lower flying allowances than their Dublin-based colleagues. 

Many say years of low pay has left them struggling for essentials, with many having little option but to take on a second job or work more hours to improve their wages, which has left them at risk of burnout.  

Though Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €205 million for 2024, employees allege their base salaries are so low that they struggle to afford rent, bills and groceries.

In response, the airline offered staff a pay rise of 12 per cent over two years - an increase they have since rejected. 

As reported by Travel Gossip, Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Any strike action will be hugely disruptive to these routes.'

Meanwhile, Unite Regional Officer John O’Neill has encouraged Unite to improve pay and employment terms 'to avoid major disruption to flights in the coming weeks.'

A spokesperson for Aer Lingus told Daily Mail: 'The Unite trade union, representing Cabin Crew on Aer Lingus UK transatlantic routes, served notice of three additional blocks of industrial action. 

'It is regrettable that Unite has decided on a significant further escalation of this type, which will be very disruptive to Aer Lingus customers flying between Manchester and each of New York, Orlando and Barbados. 

'Aer Lingus will continue to focus on planning for this increased disruption and communicating directly with impacted customers with a view to reaccommodating them where possible and minimising the disruption caused to them. 

'Aer Lingus negotiated in good faith with the Unite trade union having regard to benchmarked market pay in the UK. 

'Aer Lingus and Unite reached agreement on two separate comprehensive and market competitive pay deals which Unite then recommended to its members, the latter being based on a recommendation following a detailed conciliation process at ACAS.' 

Elsewhere, up to 50,000 passengers could find themselves impacted by airport strikes in Italy this week.

Strike action taking place on October 29 is set to disrupt several airports, as workers from KLM, Air France and Vueling walk out.

Airport workers at Milan Malpensa and Linate, Florence and Pisa are also expected to take part.

Vuelling workers will strike between 1pm and 5pm the same day.

Meanwhile, Swissport and Dussman workers will stand down for the full 24 hours, as will staff at Milan's Malpensa and Linate airports, Pisa Airport and Florence Airport.

The industrial action by Air France, KLM, and Vueling is set to be 'severely disruptive' because the carriers offer flights to over a dozen popular Italian locations.

They fly frequently to Milan, Rome, Florence, Catania, and Naples.