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Ellie Donnelly: Ryanair and Aer Lingus both post strong profits, but inflation bites

Post-pandemic holidaymakers make up for lost time, but with inflation and the climate crisis, this may well be short-lived

Aer Lingus owner IAG reported a record first half operating profit of €1.26 billion last week, while Ryanair announced that it had delivered its best-ever quarter-one performance. Picture: Getty

Post-pandemic demand in the aviation sector has really taken off if results last week are anything to go by, with Ryanair and IAG both posting very strong profits.

And as long as consumers keep spending their disposable income on holidays, the future appears to look good for Europe’s biggest airlines. However, in the middle of rising interest rates, inflation and a climate crisis, it’s likely that the current buoyancy in the airline industry could be ...