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Pilots' strike hits World Cup fans

DUBLIN, Republic of Ireland -- A strike by pilots from Irish airline Aer Lingus threatens to disrupt plans for thousands of fans.

The pilots are holding a one-day strike on Thursday in protest over what they say is inadequate rest time between flights. They say they are willing to resume normal services on Friday, but the airline says it will have to suspend all flights as of Friday and has given no indication of when they will resume. (Full story)

This means that thousands of Irish football fans face disruptions to their travel plans and may miss their team's opening match against Cameroon in Japan on Saturday.

Aer Lingus said it planned to reschedule special World Cup flights for Wednesday. In a statement the company said: "As a result of strike action by pilots on Thursday May 30 and their ongoing refusal to cooperate with the full implementation of the survival plan, Aer Lingus will not be in a position to recommence operations on Friday May 31."

Michael Landers, assistant general secretary of pilots' union Impact, blamed Aer Lingus for the current crisis.