Irish airline Aer Lingus has reported a 'lift-off' in traffic statistics for April 2008, year-on-year with 2007.

Total passenger numbers grew by 4.2% last month compared to April 2007. This may suggest the airline benefited from earlier Easter traffic.

The growth comprises of a 4.6% increase in passenger numbers on short-haul and a 1.0% increase on long haul.

The airline said it carried a total 850,000 passengers, compared to 818,000 in April last year.

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The April 2008 load factor on short haul was down to 74.3% from 79.1% in 2007, however this was in the context of a 19.8% increase in capacity on April 2007.

Long-haul load factor was down to 66.1% for April with capacity for the month increasing by 33.5% over April 2007. T

The company stated that this capacity increase "reflects the continuing effects of the introduction of two new long haul aircraft and the commencement of three new routes under Open Skies".

In March, Aer Lingus increased its fuel surcharge on some of its long-haul routes to the US.

The airline said the rises were a direct result of the recent upsurge in the price of oil and its rising fuel bill.

Although the airline pledged to keep the level of the surcharges under constant review and "make adjustments where appropriate".

(PR/JM)