Long-haul decline hits Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus has been hit hard by the downturn in global travel

Irish airline Aer Lingus has said sales fell by 9.7% in the third quarter after long-haul passenger numbers dropped.

In the three months to September, long-haul numbers dropped 13%, although passenger traffic on short-haul flights increased by 10%,

Yet shares surged 11% to 62 euro cents as investors took solace from signs the loss-making airline was stabilising.

Last month, the carrier said it would cut almost 800 jobs to try to save 97m euros a year ($143m; £90m) by 2011.

The airline said that its average revenue per passenger fell by 14.8% in the third quarter.

"Yields continue to reflect the poor market conditions and weak economic environment," Aer Lingus said.

"While the fall in yield year-on-year continues, the pace of decline in average fares does not appear to be accelerating currently."