The reassurance follows the announcement by Siptu, the largest trade union at the Irish flag carrier, that it is to ballot for all-out industrial action in the event that the airline tries to impose £57 million (e74m) worth of cost cuts and up to 1,500 job redundancies through outsourcing and redeployment.

The Impact trade union has also said it will oppose the cost-saving plan put forward by management at Aer Lingus. Impact described the proposal as “severe and draconian” and said it would begin consulting with members on their reaction.

However, while the airline’s bases in the Republic will bear the brunt of any action, Aer Lingus insisted that its passengers at BIA would remain unaffected.

Aer Lingus’ commercial director Enda Corneille said there was “absolutely no chance” of there being any disruption at the airline’s operation at BIA where neither the Siptu nor Impact union have members.

Mr Corneille told the News Letter: “There is absolutely no chance of disruptions in Belfast. Our operation there will run as normal. Our customers in Northern Ireland need not worry about any disruptions.”

Aer Lingus serves 10 destinations from BIA including London Heathrow, Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Amsterdam.

Mr Corneille said BIA, where Aer Lingus established a new base last December, was a blueprint for the airline’s other bases.

“The model we have in Belfast is the model for the future and that is what we are trying to replicate in Dublin, Cork and Shannon. Belfast is a template for future bases and is one which works especially well.”

The airline’s plans which were announced on Monday include outsourcing ground operations, cargo and catering services at Dublin and ground operations at Cork.

Up to 280 jobs could be lost at Shannon, where ground and cargo services will be outsourced and cabin crews axed.

US-based staff will be hired to work on board long-haul services from America, and just under 20 cabin crew workers based at Heathrow Airport will be affected by the move.

Options offered to staff include voluntary severance, early retirement package, or a transfer to the new service provider.

Airline chief executive, Dermot Mannion said the cuts were necessary in the current circumstances to ensure the airlines’ continued viability and to safeguard long haul services.

Last month the airline announced that it was reviewing operating costs after reporting losses of e22 million for the first half of the year.

Its new plans include deducting e14 million (£11m) from its bill for advertising, distribution, airport costs and professional fees and a further e10 million (£8m) from its long haul services.

Staff and management who stay at the carrier will be hit with a pay freeze until the end of 2009 and new contracts will be based on performance-related pay.

It aims to implement the new programme by December 1.