Aer Lingus records profits of €63.8m

Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €63.8m last year, according to the company's latest annual report.

The figure compares to a €52.1m loss recorded in 2001, mainly due to the downturn in the international aviation sector following the al-Qaida attacks on New York and Washington.

The profit reported today highlights the success of the Aer Lingus survival plan implemented following the September 11 attacks, which included the lay-off of almost one-third of the airline's staff.

Unions have urged the company to honour pay increases that were suspended as part of the survival plan.

However, Aer Lingus bosses have insisted that a savage campaign of cost-cutting will continue unabated and that the final 4% pay rise due to workers under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness will only be awarded in return for productivity improvements.