Aer Lingus dividend ‘paltry’

Ryanair has described as “paltry” the €4.73m it will receive in a dividend payment from Aer Lingus, despite the fact it will make more of a return than the Government.

Aer Lingus announced yesterday it intends to pay a dividend in future years if the company makes an operating profit, so long as the payment is considered appropriate and prudent.

“The board believes that, at the present time, an ongoing, sustainable dividend policy is more appropriate for Aer Lingus and its shareholders than a special dividend or other form of non-recurring return of capital,” the company said at its AGM.