Pilots call for external investment in Aer Lingus

The Government must facilitate external investment into the State airline Aer Lingus to help future growth in the aviation industry, a conference was told this morning.

Mr Mark Tighe, President of the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA) told the conference that the industry was set to "thrive" but also also called on the Government and regulators to look to the long term and help create the conditions for future growth.

"There are many elements necessary to ensure a thriving and developing aviation industry," Mr Tighe told the "Planning for the Long haul: Aviation Policy in Ireland" conference.

He said "security and the confidence of the travelling public, efficient management, a competitive workforce who have more of an interest in their company than just their take-home pay and a developing and expanding economy" were some of the elements of success needed.

The conference heard that Dublin passenger numbers were up 13 per cent in the first quarter of this year, that Dublin airport would reach maximum capacity of 20 million passengers a year by 2007, and that Shannon airport could thrive through investment in freight distribution, aircraft maintenance and passenger demand.

The Minister for Transport Mr Brennan and the Aer Lingus Chief Executive Mr Willie Walsh are also due to speak at the conference which takes place in Dublin today.

Meanwhile it has emerged that Aer Lingus will reverse a projected loss of €27m this year to a profit of between €30m and €40m.