Airline shows improvement but bases at Gatwick, Belfast struggle with losses

AER Lingus is showing signs of improvement this year but its Gatwick and Belfast bases are struggling with losses.

Aer Lingus delivered an operating profit of €12 million in the second half of last year and said the first three months of this year are performing ahead of 2009.

The airline said its full-year loss widened by 18% in 2009 to €130m. The figure compared with the previous year’s loss of €109.8m. In its full year results announcement it said 74% of staff have accepted the proposals for cost-cutting measures and it is now pushing ahead with the implementation of these plans. The carrier said plans to lay off 670 staff would secure its future.