What does IALPA stand for?

The Irish Airline Pilots Association want the lasers classified as illegal weapons so that users must get a licence to own or use them.

Yesterday Captain Adrian Hinkson, director of safety and technical for the Irish Airline Pilots Association, called for more regulation of pilots' flying hours.

The oneworld Cockpit Crew Coalition is comprised of the following member organizations: Aeropers - Swiss Allied Pilots Association - American Airlines Australian International Pilots Association - QANTAS British Airline Pilots Association - British Airways Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association - Cathay Pacific Airways Irish Airline Pilots Association - Aer Lingus Japan Airlines Captains Association - Japan Airlines (JAL) Japan Airlines Flight Crew Union - JAL Japan Airlines Senior Flight Engineer Union - JAL SEPLA - Iberia Suomen Liikennelentajaliittoo - Finnair

The Irish Airline Pilots Association said his letter vindicates its position that the Belfast base does not come under the terms of the Flynn Report.

A spokesman for the Irish Airline Pilots Association said Mr Mannion has asked pilots to ignore their union and work normally during the two-day protest.

Sources close to the Irish Airline Pilots Association claim the pilots havewritten to Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion stating they would beprepared to move if their terms are agreed.

Groups including the Irish Nurses Organisation, the Irish Bank Officials Association and the Irish Airline Pilots Association back calls for protecting staff who expose illegal practices.

The Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) said the two sides had agreed togo to the industrial relations trouble- shooter, the Labour RelationsCommission.