Irish airline Aer Lingus swung back to profit in the second quarter despite disruption to European airspace and vowed to defend its independence by cutting costs further into next year.

Aer Lingus, which is having to become more efficient in the shadow of former suitor Ryanair, posted a pre-tax profit of 15.4 million euros in the second quarter versus a 13.8 million euros loss a year ago.

After reporting full-year losses for both 2008 and 2009, it reiterated a projection to at least break even on an operating level in 2010, though it said it was too early to give a forecast for 2011 in an uncertain economic climate.

With “plenty of cash” on hand and good shares of some key routes to Ireland it could stand its ground, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Macfarlane said, adding it would probably join one of the global airline alliances over the longer term.

“(There is) no reason why we shouldn’t be able to remain independent,” Macfarlane told reporters.

In the first half, Aer Lingus had an operating loss of 24 million euros after accounting for the cost of disruption caused by a volcanic ash cloud, narrower than the 93 million euros a year ago and the 40 million euro loss expected by in-house broker Goodbody.

“Despite the group’s strong commercial performance, Aer Lingus has not been complacent in addressing its cost position,” Chief Executive Christoph Mueller said in a statement. “We expect ongoing improvement in our cost base in 2011,” Mueller added.