As Aer Lingus launched its two new North American routes this week, and the fact that these will generate directly 200 new jobs, the airline also brought out dazzling passenger results for June. Total flown passenger numbers, including Aer Lingus Regional operations, increased by 3.1% to 1,044,000 in June 2013 compared to June 2012.
Short-haul flown passengers, including Aer Lingus Regional, in June 2013 were 928,000, an increase of 1.5% on June 2012, while long-haul flown passengers in June 2013 were 116,000, an increase of 17.2% on June 2012.
Aer Lingus Mainline’s flown passenger load factor in June 2013 increased by 3.6 points on June 2012 to 86.2%. Short-haul flown load factor was 81.6%, an increase of 3.5 points on June 2012, with capacity decreasing by 2.8%. Long-haul flown load factor was 94.5%, an increase of 2.1 points on June 2012, with capacity increasing by 15.5% on the previous year.
Any airline that can produce a load factor of 94.5% on long haul should be congratulated, and not just by the shareholders. It is proof of the efforts of management and staff working together.
Chief Executive Christoph Mueller did not hold back when he said that hubbing through Dublin was gaining momentum from other European airports, and that UK transatlantic traffic was continuing to grow, citing UK APD and pre-US clearance in Ireland prior to departure as two of the unique advantages for these passengers.
He also revealed that as many as 14 US companies with operations in Ireland had committed to supporting the new Dublin – San Francisco route , naming Facebook as one. He also singled out Aer Lingus Regional for mention as it is on course to deliver more than 100,000 transit passengers from the UK this year.
No wonder Aer Lingus eyes are smiling.
