Fewer passengers fly Aer Lingus

INDUSTRIAL disputes and a paring back of routes meant Aer Lingus carried about a sixth fewer passengers last month than a year ago.

The airline was wrapped up in a series of industrial disputes with cabin crew over longer working hours, resulting in a number of flight cancellations in the month.

In January 552,000 passengers were booked to fly with Aer Lingus, a 17% drop on last year. The flight cancellations meant the numbers who actually flew were 4% below the booking levels.