International Airlines Group (IAG) recorded a 125% increase in its full-year operating profit, growing to €2.32bn as demand increased and fuel costs fell.

The group owns British Airways and Iberia, and acquired Aer Lingus during the year.

It revenue rose by 13.3% to €22.8bn. IAG expects continued growth during 2016 and says that performance during the first quarter of this year is in line with the final three months of 2015.

Aer Lingus contributed €35m to the group's operating profit since it joined IAG in August of last year, in a deal worth €1.35bn.

Aer Lingus made an operating profit of €124m in 2015 - up from €72m during the previous year.

Its capacity increased by 5.4% as the airline added new long-haul routes. 

Chief executive Willie Walsh commented on the figures:

"These results are in line with our recent target and have exceeded our original 2015 operating profit target of €1.5 billion that we set in 2011.

"It has undoubtedly been a good year but it’s also been challenging with extreme volatility in the currency and fuel markets. The benefits gained from lower fuel prices have been partially offset by the stronger US dollar."