Aer Lingus passenger numbers grew by 8.8 per cent in the year to August, the company said today.
However, the airline’s load factor, or the proportion of seats filled, fell to 80.5 per cent from 81.7 per cent the previous year.
In a statement, Aer Lingus said the increased traffic comprised of a 10.6 per cent increase in passenger numbers on short haul and a 2.3 per cent decrease on long haul.
The short haul load factor was slightly up on 2007 at 83.0 per cent, despite a 15.4 per cent increase in capacity year on year, the airline said.
The long haul load factor fell to 77.5 per cent from 80.3 per cent in 2007 which it said was a result of
“capacity increases of 4.5 per cent”.
Last week Aer Lingus reported that it had made an operating loss of €22.3 million for the first half of the year compared with a profit of €2.6 million for the same period in 2007, largely because of rising fuel costs.
Chief executive Dermot Mannion has warned that the airline needs “fundamental change” if it is to minimise a potential €100 million operating loss in 2009.
In an interview with the Financial Timesyesterday, Mr Mannion said a series of cost-cutting measures would be announced by the end of the month.
He said: "Everything is up for review. The challenge must be faced quickly . . . Fundamental change must happen. We must take out costs to reduce a potential €100m operating loss in 2009."