Airline sale achieves record bookings

[January 12th 2009]

Airline Aer Lingus has achieved record bookings in its January Seat Sale, selling almost 51,000 seats online in just one day.

The record sales figures come as a number of airlines start the year with seat sales offering low air fares on routes in the UK, Europe and around the world. Early bookings statistics suggest that Brits are determined to continue travelling and taking well-earned holidays.

Irish airline Aer Lingus, the subject of a takeover bid by rival Ryanair, says the figure of almost 51,000 seats sold in a single day is the highest level of online sales it has achieved in the last 12 months. The airline’s website has also recorded an increase of 27% in new visitors compared to the same period last year.

The record number of sales for a single day was achieved on Tuesday 6th January. The first week in January is traditionally a popular time for booking a holiday or short break as people return to work after the Christmas and New Year holiday and want something to look forward to.

“We are delighted that customers are snapping up the outstanding value available though our January Seat Sale. Due to the phenomenal demand we have added tonnes of extra seats, available on Every Flight: Every Day, from now up until 31st March,” comments Aer Lingus corporate affairs director, Enda Corneille.

Air fares in the Aer Lingus seat sale start from as little as €179 to the USA, and €19.99 to Europe and the UK. The airline flies from a number of airports in the UK including Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The January Seat Sale continues until January 19th.

Aer Lingus stated last week that it is not interested in a merger with rival Irish airline Ryanair. Following the takeover offer by Ryanair, Aer Lingus says that only 0.01% of its shareholders have accepted the offer, which it maintains “significantly undervalues Aer Lingus”.

“It is a fact that Ryanair is currently prohibited from acquiring control of Aer Lingus under the EC Merger Regulation. Ryanair's current offer cannot be completed until Ryanair makes a fresh submission under the EC Merger Regulation and obtains a clearance,” Aer Lingus says in a press statement.

Written by: Nick Purdom

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