National brand hits turbulence

AER LINGUS is in danger of becoming a “contaminated” brand owing to its decision to pull its Heathrow flights out of Shannon, an Irish Examiner poll reveals.

The move has proved a public relations disaster for the national carrier, with almost six in 10 people saying they may boycott Aer Lingus owing to the row.

The negative publicity over the transfer of the economic lifeline routes from the mid-west to Belfast has left 59% of passengers less likely to use the airline, compared with 37% who say it makes no difference.