| Aer Lingus is based in Dublin Airport from which it | | | | Recent years have been good to Aer Lingus since |
| flies routes around Ireland, Europe and North | | | | they transformed their model to that of a low |
| America. The airline dates back as far as 1936 | | | | coast air line to compete with Ryanair who also |
| when West Coast Air Services established the | | | | fly out of Dublin Airport. The Airline is now |
| airline under the Air Navigation and Transport Act | | | | profitable once again after losing money for |
| of 1936. The name 'Aer Lingus' is a phonetic | | | | several years beforehand and during the 1990s |
| translation of Aer - Loingeas which translates | | | | came close to being bankrupt. |
| from Gaelic to 'our fleet.' | | | | Today the Aer Lingus fleet consists of Airbus |
| The Government of Ireland own 85% of the | | | | aircraft while Ryanair have opted for Boeing |
| company with much of the remainder being in the | | | | aircraft. Aer Lingus have 22 A320 - 200, 6 A321 - |
| hands of the unions who represent the workers | | | | 200, 3 A330-200 and 4 A330-300 aircraft with |
| of Aer Lingus. In recent developments the | | | | another four on order. It is a long way from the |
| government has approved the privatisation of the | | | | six seated De Havilland 84 Dragon biplane which |
| airline. The Government will still retain a share of | | | | was the plane used during its first operation flight |
| the airline to ensure Irish interests are best | | | | ever taken that flew from Baldonnel Airfield to |
| served while the majority will be sold to the public. | | | | Bristol in England. |