Mohan Sinha
09 May 2026

DUBLIN, Ireland: Aer Lingus reported an operating loss of 103 million euros for the first three months of the year.

This is almost double the airline's losses of 55 million euros in the same period last year.

Aer Lingus said the first three months of the year are usually the weakest for business, and this time it was even harder because fuel prices and carbon costs went up.

Passenger numbers increased slightly, by just over one percent, helped by new long- and short-distance routes.

There were concerns about jet fuel shortages after some airlines canceled flights due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which reduced global oil supply. However, Aer Lingus said it expects to have enough fuel for the summer.

The airline is now reviewing its costs after reporting higher losses in the first quarter. CEO Lynne Embleton said the company is confident in its ability to run its summer schedule but warned that rising fuel prices have affected the business, resulting in a loss of 103 million euros by the end of March.

She added that, because fuel prices may remain high and the global situation is uncertain, the airline is reviewing its spending and future plans to remain efficient and prepared.

Aer Lingus also said its losses were caused by higher carbon costs, more competition on transatlantic routes, and one-time costs from closing its Manchester base.

Despite this, the airline still increased passenger numbers by 1.1 percent and started new routes, including flights from Dublin to Cancún and Turin, and from Cork to Geneva and Prague.