Aer Lingus numbers increase by a third

AER Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion says passenger numbers on the airline’s European routes are up by a third on last year.

He told an Oireachtas committee yesterday the airline has performed well this year despite turbulent times for the aviation industry.

“The performance in 2005 to date has been better than might have been envisaged a year ago. We have had to make adjustments, competition is everywhere - fierce in some cases - fuel costs are a concern and change is constant, but Aer Lingus is doing well.”