Sir - I refer to the article "Lufthansa achieves first-half profits as Weber hits out" (Flight International, 26 July-1 August, P4).
Total state investment in Aer Lingus of Ireland in the 60 years since it was founded is less than the amount received in a single year (1994) by any one of the other airlines to which the article refers. Clearly, Aer Lingus has not received a large-scale subsidy at any time in its history.
In the case of the German airline, the German Government is making a large-scale investment in the Lufthansa employees' pension fund. The Aer Lingus Central Representative Council supports the German Government's investment on behalf of Lufthansa employees, and notes that Flight International does not consider the Lufthansa state investment to be a subsidy.
JOAN CARMICHAEL
Secretary
Central Representative Council
Trade Unions Industrial
Democracy Body - Aer Lingus
Dublin Airport, Ireland
Source: Flight International
