Industrial action by air traffic controllers in Ireland has caused disruption to travellers in and out of the country today (20 January), with flights subject to further delays and cancellations.

Budget carrier Ryanair has already confirmed that it has been forced to axe 52 flights, affecting more than 6,000 passengers, while Aer Lingus has also warned customers to expect disruption between 2pm and 6pm.

Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports will be affected by the industrial action, which follows the Irish Aviation Authority's (IAA) decision to suspend air traffic controllers in a dispute over working conditions.

In a statement, the IMPACT trade union said that the industrial action was being taken "solely" due to the IAA's suspension of the workers without pay, and would be halted if the decision was reversed.

However, the IAA has claimed that the strike was down to demands for a 6 per cent pay increase and workers being instructed to refuse to co-operate with new technology, as well as issues regarding pension contributions.

An IAA spokesperson said: "We want them to be reasonable and suspend discussion of this 6 per cent increase. We have told them we will be happy to review it in 2012.

"We want them to make a contribution to their own excellent pensions, in line with everyone else in the public sector. We have not cut salaries. We are not cutting jobs."