Aer Lingus has announced record profits of €107 million for 2004 - an increase of 29% on the previous year.
The figures, which were published this morning, show the number of passengers travelling with the airline rose by 5.5% to seven million, with two thirds of bookings made over the Internet.
In addition, sales rose by 2% to over €900 million, which partly reflects the low fares Aer Lingus is now charging.
The number of passengers flying trans-Atlantic routes rose by 7%. In continental Europe, where the airline has opened new destinations, passenger numbers were up by 25%.
However, staff numbers fell by almost 9% to just under 4,000.
While the financial results are healthy, the airline itself is facing some uncertainties.
Aer Lingus is still awaiting the appointment of a Chief Executive to replace Willie Walsh who left in January, and the Government still has to decide whether to privatise the airline.
