"Exceptional" charge to land airline in the red
Aer Lingus cfo Sean Coyle said the airline expects to report a net loss for 2008 after "exceptional items" are taken into account.
Mr Coyle would not confirm the exact amount relating to the airline's restructuring last year, according to reports.
The airline had expected a net profit for 2008 of around €20m, despite an operating loss of the same amount.
Aer Lingus' chairman Colm Barrington told an Irish newspaper the airline would "obviously, logically" report a net loss if it expected to breakeven before the extra charge.
Ryanair's €1.40 per share takeover bid for Aer Lingus was unsuccessful last month after Ireland's government, a 25% stakeholder, rejected the offer on competition grounds.
Aer Lingus's shares closed at €0.955 yesterday (February 4).
www.aerlingus.com