Aer Lingus expects to turn losses to profits

Aer Lingus expects to reverse a projected loss of €27m this year to a profit of between €30m and €40m, Chief Executive Mr Willie…

Aer Lingus expects to reverse a projected loss of €27m this year to a profit of between €30m and €40m, Chief Executive Mr Willie Walsh confirmed today.

Mr Walsh also told the Small Firms' Association conference in Dublin that over 30 per cent of total sales in Aer Lingus were now coming through the Internet, up from just 2 per cent last year.

"Our costs are going down, our fares are going down, our passenger numbers are going up. This is the only way to a sustainable, profitable airline," Mr Walsh said.

Mr Walsh also announced a reduction of €65 million in the cost of business travel saying Aer Lingus "was committed to cutting the cost of business travel so that people can do more business at less cost".

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy is Digital Production Editor of The Irish Times