Aer Lingus turns in profits of €63.8m

AER LINGUS made operating profits of €63.8m against losses of €50m in 2001.

Despite the sharp turnaround however, Aer Lingus chiefs yesterday ruled out a sell-off of the airline this year, a possibility raised earlier by Tánaiste Mary Harney.

Aer Lingus chairman, Tom Mulcahy, said the climate wasn't right adding that the Government would ultimately take that strategic decision.