Aer Lingus passenger numbers up 8.2%

The total number of passengers flying with Aer Lingus increased by 8.2% last month.

Total Aer Lingus Mainline flown passenger numbers, in March 2012 were 736,000, an increase of 6.4% compared to March 2011.

Short haul flown passengers in March 2012 were 663,000, an increase of 5.4% on March 2011, while long haul flown passengers in March 2012 were 73,000, an increase of 15.9% on March 2011.

Total Aer Lingus Mainline flown passenger load factor in March 2012 increased by five points on March 2011 to 75.8%.

Short haul flown load factor was 72.6%, an increase of 3.4 points on March 2011, with capacity increasing by 1.1%.

Long haul flown load factor was 82%, an increase of 8.2 points on March 2011, with capacity increasing by 4% on March 2011.