The former Irish flag-carrier said yields per passenger were up 5.3 percent compared to the same period last year and revenues were up 7 percent.

"If current trends continue, Aer Lingus' operating profit, before net exceptional items, for 2012 will be at least that achieved in 2011," chief executive Christoph Mueller said in a statement. Last year's figure came in at 49.1 million euros.

Ryanair, the largest shareholder in Aer Lingus with a 30 percent holding, is in talks with the European Commission to clear a 694 million euros takeover bid announced last month.

The Commission has said it will decide by August 29 whether to clear the deal.

Aer Lingus (AERL.I), in which the Irish government holds a 25 percent stake, reiterated its call for shareholders to reject Ryanair's offer, which it says the Commission will likely block.

Aer Lingus shares closed on Monday at 1.08, up 14 percent since Ryanair made its bid, but it remains well below the 1.30 euro offer price.

Ryanair on Monday undershot analyst forecasts with a profit slide of 29 percent in the three months to June as it grappled with a toxic mix of austerity, recession and stubbornly high fuel prices. (Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Mike Nesbit)

• A Permanent Economic Emergency