Cost cutting plan expected
Aer Lingus has played down reports it is to ground further transatlantic services between Ireland and the US.
Reports in the Irish press claimed the airline is planning to end underperforming routes such as Shannon-New York JFK.
The Irish flag carrier said a new plan aimed at restructuring airline spend was due in the next few weeks but no details have yet been given.
The airline has already announced it is to cease Dublin-San Francisco this October and cut the number of flights between Shannon and Boston.
But there was no indication whether the upcoming cost cutting plan would affect any further routes.
Aer Lingus' ceo Christoph Mueller accepted that US routes were of "national importance" to Ireland but that the airline was "not a charity", IrishCentral reported.
Mr Mueller was also reported as saying the airline needed an "amputation" not "cosmetic surgery" to cut costs.
Aer Lingus' transatlantic services are thought to have resulted in €60m of losses in the first half of the year.
Aer Lingus was unavailable to comment on speculation that the Shannon-New York route had only survived due to pressure from the Irish state.
Mr Mueller announced he would embark on a cost cutting mission last month after Aer Lingus reported a €93m operating loss in the first half of the year.
Mr Mueller, who took over as ceo in July, is said to be examining areas where costs could be saved including Aer Lingus' workforce.
Staff and non-staff areas are both understood to be under review before a plan is presented to the airline's trades unions.
Aer Lingus has faced increasing competition from low cost rivals like Ryanair, resulting in declining traffic and seat revenues.
Analysts said to survive Aer Lingus may need to find €130m in savings, about 10% of its cost base.
www.aerlingus.com