Aer Lingus payoffs to cost €90m. Bad for the taxpayer, but this man's smiling

REDUNDANCY payments at Aer Lingus will cost the taxpayer over €90 million just months ahead of the possible sale of the airline.

With the Government set to make a decision on the privatisation of the semi-State by the end of next month, management yesterday announced the terms of a generous severance package aimed at shedding 1,325 jobs.

Already, since 2001, some 3,000 jobs have gone at Aer Lingus, returning the carrier to profitability.