Aer Lingus has seen a decline in profits for the six months of the year to June 30th.

Its parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), has released the results.

The group as a whole saw a second quarter operating profit of €960m before exceptional items.

Its profit after tax before exceptional items stood at €806m - up 0.4%.

While passenger revenue across the group for the quarter was up 3.1%.

Aer Lingus recorded passenger revenue of €939m, which was up from €867m for the same period last year.

But the Irish flag carrier saw its operating profits drop from €104m last quarter to €78m this quarter.

Back in June, IAG announced an order of six Airbus A321XLR aircraft for Aer Lingus.

It will be one of the first airlines to use the extra long-range narrowbody aircraft.

Airspace XL bins in the Airbus A321XLR | Image: Airbus

Spanish carrier Iberia, also owned by IAG, will take delivery of eight new aircraft.

It is a single-aisle aircraft that can fly routes of up to 4,700 nm (8,700 km) with 244 passengers.

It is also designed to produce 20% lower fuel burn per seat, 5,000 tonnes less CO2 per year, and a noise footprint that is 50% lower for passengers and airports.

The plane also has the largest overhead storage compartment, called 'XL bins', and also features a new toilet design and coloured LED lighting for the cabin.

The first deliveries are scheduled for 2023.

IAG says: "The A321XLR will be used to expand both Aer Lingus and Iberia's existing longhaul fleets."

The group also praised Aer Lingus growth on transatlantic routes - including the full year impact of services to Philadelphia and Seattle, which were launched in 2018.

IAG CEO Willie Walsh says: "Despite fuel cost headwinds, we delivered a good performance.

"At constant currency, fuel unit costs were up 6.3 % while passenger unit revenue increased 1.1%, benefiting from the timing of Easter."