Aer Lingus severs sports sponsorship

Aer Lingus is cutting its sponsorship links with some major sporting events, including the Ryder Cup which will be held in Ireland in 2006.

Other disassociations will be with the Smurfit European Open golf championship.

A company spokesperson said the decision was regrettable but unavoidable, and the company will review a number of its other sponsorships during 2002. The announcement comes as the airline continues its battle to survive.

Earlier today Canada 2000, the country's second biggest airline, announced its closure, adding to the closure of the Belgian airline, Sabena earlier in the week.