Over 20,000 travellers in airports in the Irish Republic will have their travel plans disrupted, facing a chaos this afternoon due to a planned four-hour strike by air traffic controllers.

A dispute over work practices has led to the industrial action by controllers at Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports, declaring a cancellation of up to 150 flights at Cork, Dublin and Shannon.

The airports will be shut down between 1400 and 1800 GMT when the controllers would be attending a mandatory union meeting, which has been convened following the suspension of 15 controllers from Dublin and Shannon Airports for failing to support the new technology.

Aer Lingus is expected to cancelling 64 flights, with Ryanair declaring the cancelation of a further 48 flights, rendering thousands of passengers helpless.

The IAA cited this morning that the staffs that are calling a strike are among the best paid public servants in Ireland. It called on the controllers and the IMPACT union to resume normal work practices.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has conveyed his deep concerns and worries to the government over the serious consequences of the call off for air passengers and also the country’s economy.

Mr Dempsey has urged both parties to make cumulative effort to amicably resolve the dispute with the assistance of the State's industrial relations machinery.