· June load factor was 74%, compared to 70% in June 2014
· Kerry Dublin route up 39% for June, representing 16th consecutive month of growth
· Donegal Dublin route up 11.3% for June, representing 5th consecutive month of growth

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, has recorded a four percentage point growth in passenger load factor, compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the airline today.

The airline’s load factor for the month of June was at 74%, compared to 70% in June 2014.

Overall, the airline has experienced a 3.4% growth in passenger load factor in the year to date, flying over 562,000 passengers in the first six months of 2015.

Aer Lingus Regional currently operates 640 flights per week across 27 routes from 20 departures points throughout Ireland, the UK and France.

The airline recently celebrated its five millionth passenger milestone.

Aer Lingus Regional was awarded the tender to provide air services on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes from Kerry to Dublin and Donegal to Dublin last November.

The Kerry to Dublin route experienced its 16th consecutive month of growth, growing passenger numbers on the route by 39% for the month of June, and over 32% in the first six months of the year. This sustained growth on the route has helped to contribute to an increase in connecting flights through Dublin’s transatlantic hub in North America.

The airline’s Donegal to Dublin route enjoyed its fifth consecutive month of growth since taking over the Donegal PSO in February, with passenger numbers up 11.3% on June 2014.

Commenting on the month’s figures, Martin Saxton, Chief Commercial Officer at Stobart Air, said: “We are very pleased to experience such a strong first half of the year, and a particularly strong June, traditionally one of our busiest months of the year.

“In the first six months of the year we have launched a number of new routes, all of which have contributed to the airline’s continued strong performance. June also saw the airline fly its five millionth passenger, a hugely significant milestone for my colleagues and I. Passenger numbers have steadily grown in the early summer months, and we are confident this trajectory will continue into the second half of the year.”