Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) said that chances of an additional strike is high after talks in the long-run dispute broke down.

Tens of thousands of passengers have been affected by 270 flight cancellations so far.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Mark Tighe said pilots did not want to be in this situation, but it was the “level of corporate greed” in Aer Lingus that had led to the current dispute.

The war of words between the two sides continued before a work-to-rule affecting thousands of passengers.

Mark Tighe, the president of Ialpa, described claims by Aer Lingus that it has ‘repeatedly sought’ to engage with the association as ‘not accurate’.

A spokesperson for the airline said it will impact 15,000 customers on short-haul services.

Pilots at Aer Lingus served notice to the airline of their intention to launch an indefinite work-to-rule from next Wednesday.

The airline’s pilots voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in a dispute over pay.