Aer Lingus numbers plunge 27%

THE crisis facing tourism due to the volcanic ash disruption warrants an emergency response, according to a top aviation analyst as Aer Lingus passenger numbers plunge 27%.

This news comes as British Airways cabin crew announce they are to stage a series of five-day strikes.

Seven days of grounded aircraft saw Aer Lingus short-haul passenger numbers fall 26% to 626,000 and long-haul passengers figures dropped by almost 36% to 63,000 when compared with April last year.