Aer Lingus makes strong start to second quarter

Aer Lingus saw a near 27% increase in passenger numbers last month, starting the second quarter of the year strongly after parent group IAG reported solid earnings for the first three months.

IAG — which also owns British Airways, Iberia and low fares operator Vueling – yesterday reported a 10% year-on-year increase in group traffic for April.

The group — led by former Aer Lingus chief Willie Walsh — also reported a 9.7% year-on-year rise in first quarter operating profit (before exceptional items) to €170m, although revenue for the quarter was down 2.8% year-on-year at €4.93bn.