Globalisation in the aviation business has led to a "race to the bottom" to cut staff levels while attempting to increase productivity and service, a leading British expert said yesterday. Prof Peter Turnball of Cardiff University called on the Government to counter this by establishing a "clear policy" to provide for the growth of the business and its regulation.

Speaking at a conference for Aer Lingus workers organised by the co-ordinating body for the airline's trade unions, the Central Representative Council (CRC), Prof Turnball said labour was among airlines' few variable costs - unlike fuel, landing and aircraft expenses.

"The result is that the industry's workforce has become the focus of both cost reduction and productivity/service improvement programme. This is the basis of the competitive `race to the bottom' in civil aviation," said Prof Turnball.

The secretary of the civil aviation section of the International Transport Workers' Federation, Mr Stuart Howard, also addressed the meeting. Mr Howard said the Government must insist that the trend towards more intensive working was resisted. He said this posed "major risks" for air safety.

"It is vital that the Government develops an aviation policy that will facilitate the growth and development of Irish airlines," said Mr Howard.