Aer Lingus Group H1 Loss Widens

Revenues were up over 7pc to €72.9m in the same period.

Traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs, grew 5.9 percent to 7.70 billion, and capacity, measured in available seat kilometres or ASKs, increased 3.0 percent to 9.83 billion from past year. Total revenues were €468.9m – up from €437.8m last time.

In the first six months of 2015 the airline recorded operating losses of just under €14m compared to just under €10m in losses in last year’s first half.

Aer Lingus noted that it is now in an offer period as defined by the Irish Takeover Rules. I would like to thank my colleagues for their contribution to the delivery of this performance and for their on-going endeavours.

“Passenger, retail and cargo revenues all grew strongly in the quarter”, said Stephen Kavanagh, chief executive.

The airline’s long-haul business to North America, boosted by new routes to Toronto and San Francisco, continues to drive the bulk of its revenue growth and profitability.

Wednesday posted a fall in second quarter pretax profit partly due to adverse foreign exchange effect, but said it is well positioned to deliver an improved operating performance in the third quarter and for the full year.