Airlines of Britain Holdings, parent company of British Midland, Manx and Loganair, has reported a strong growth in profits in 1995. The chairman, Sir Michael Bishop, said its market share on the Dublin Heathrow route, where it competes with Aer Lingus, is now over 36 per cent.

Group turnover increased by 7 per cent to £553.3 million sterling while pre tax profit was £6.2 million compared with £300,000 in the previous year. Sir Michael said that the growth in popularity of Dublin as a tourist destination over the past year had contributed greatly to the airline's growth. British Midland expects to carry between 700,000 and 750,000 passengers on Dublin Heathrow this year, according to Sir Michael.

Meanwhile, Aer Lingus inaugurated its new Dublin Stansted service yesterday.