Aer Lingus forced to revise its growth

AER LINGUS has been forced by record fuel costs to rein in ambitious growth plans prepared for its long-haul network.

It is cutting long-haul capacity sharply in the coming winter season and is highly dependent on gaining all of its 2008 profits during the three summer months.

It is suspending one of its key routes to the US west coast from November and has forecast it will fall into loss this year at current fuel prices, according to the Financial Times. It is also joining the increasing number of airlines to defer some new aircraft deliveries.

The airline says it is sticking to its medium -term long-haul growth strategy, developed two years ago as part of the group’s initial public offering in October 2006. It planned to double its fleet of long-haul aircraft from seven to 14 by 2014.