AER-IER LINGUS? A slimmer Aer Lingus said more than 1,500 employees have applied for early retirement under the voluntary severance scheme announced in August 2003, as part of the Irish carriers cost-cutting program. At press time, 175 staff had already left the company. Aer Lingus hailed the voluntary reductions -- along with other savings measures -- as important contributions to the quest to rework the airline into a leading low-fare/low-cost carrier both in Europe and, now, on transatlantic routes. For more, visit www.aerlingus.com.