e-metro.ie 20.01.2010 said the disruption could be averted if the suspensions were lifted. Its deeply regrettable and nobody wants to subject anyone to any unnec- essary delays but this precipitous ac- tion taken by the IAA leaves them with little choice, he said. But IAA human resources director Liam Kavanagh said: These control- lers have stopped doing work on a number of ongoing projects work they have already been doing for the last two years. We cannot function... if controllers refuse to carry out ongoing work. The IAA also said the union was de- manding a six per cent pay increase which the industry could not afford, adding that air traffic controllers were already well paid, with a salary of around 115,000 a year. Impact said there was a dispute over pay increases due to them, but that was a separate issue. Passengers have been asked to check cancellations online and contact air- lines for refunds or to re-book flights. FLIghTs face major disruption today as air traffic controllers strike over new work practices. Dublin, shannon and Cork airports are shutting down for up to four hours, but aviation chiefs and airlines have demanded the stoppage be called off. Budget airline Ryanair, which can- celled 48 flights affecting 6,000 pas- sengers, called on military air traffic controllers to step in to keep the air- ports open. spokesman stephen McNamara said: It is up to the government to en- sure that Irish airports remain open. Aer Lingus has been forced to can- cel 64 of its services in and out of Ire- land, but most of its long-haul flights have avoided the disruption. Dublin and shannon airports will shut from 2pm to 6pm while Cork Airport will be hit from 4pm to 6pm. Trade union Impact, representing the air traffic controllers, blamed the Irish Aviation Authority for the stop- page after the IAA suspended 12 air traffic controllers for refusing to co- operate with new working practices. A spokesman for the trade union By Colm Kelpie Strikers to cause chaos at airports houses are more affordable now than at any time in the last 25 years. All-time low interest rates, house prices at 2003 levels and weak consumer confidence are giving first- time buyers the chance to get a foot on the property ladder P4 news Best time to buy a property Cadburys takeover resistance melted away yesterday after Us rival Kraft Foods tabled a higher 13.5billion buyout bid. Dairylea maker Kraft announced the backing of the Cadbury board for a revised 953c per share offer P18 Business Kraft to seal Cadbury deal Alex Ferguson was left counting the cost of his decision to part with Carlos Tevez after the striker gave Manchester City a 2-1 win over local rivals United in their Carling Cup semi-final, first leg P24 sPORT Teves back to taunt Fergie Tobey Maguires hugely successful shift as Peter Parker came to an end with the news that spider-Man 4 will feature a younger lead. But Maguire has plenty of other work to keep him happy as he seeks fulfilment P12 Life Whats next for Spider-Man? Lily Allen and Cheryl Cole are on a collision course for another round of cat-fighting at the Brit Awards. The feuding duo will be among the stars performing at next months awards ceremony P6 GuiLTY PLeAsuRes Its Lily vs Cheryl Michael fassbender on what it was like to portray Bobby Sands P15 Amina Adanan, from Celbridge, takes part in the Unicef Ireland candlelight vigil at Dublins Christ Church Cathedral last night to show solidarity for Haitis quake victims P10 Picture: Collins Prayers for Haiti index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html