Aer Lingus owner to post €3bn loss

'For next summer we can operate up to 90% of the capacity that we were flying in 2019'

Profitability would depend on how much capacity IAG can operate next year, Mr Gallego said.

The chief executive of Aer Lingus owner IAG has said he is "very optimistic" about the full reopening of transatlantic routes, adding that if it is able to operate 90% of capacity by next summer it will return to profitability.

Asked about the transatlantic reopening, Luis Gallego said: "We are very optimistic and I think we are going to have 100% of the capacity that we flew in 2019 next summer."