Aer Lingus has seen operating profits rise 18 per cent to €72 million as passenger numbers hit record levels in 2014.
According to its preliminary results for last year the airline hailed an “excellent” operating profit performance as it reported total revenue increase of 9.2 per cent and passenger numbers surpassing 11 million for the first time in the airline’s history.
The Irish carrier said the results were helped by strong long-haul development with 28 per cent rise in long-haul passenger fare revenue with average fare per seat up 7 per cent and load factor up 0.6 per cent.
Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller, said: “The year 2014 proved the strength of our “value carrier” business model across both our short and long haul businesses.”
The Aer Lingus board also reiterated its support for a takeover by British Airways’ owner IAG.
“Our performance in 2014 was strong, with significant growth in long haul and resilient short haul operations,” said Aer Lingus chairman, Colm Barrington.
“To enhance these excellent results and to accelerate Aer Lingus’ growth, it is the Board’s strong belief that the company should now take the opportunity to combine with IAG,” he added.
The takeover needs the approval of both the Irish government, which holds a 25% stake, and rival Ryanair, which has a near 30% stake and had previously tried to take over the business itself.
Last year, Aer Lingus moved its base at Heathrow from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, a move it said had resulted in "a major improvement in our passenger experience".
Aer Lingus last week named Stephen Kavanagh as its new CEO.