ERA: Passenger growth 2.9% for first half of 2010
23-Sep-2010 The European Regions Airline Association (ERA), which represents 70 intra-European airlines, has recorded scheduled passenger growth of 2.9% for Jan-June 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.
However, if the 10% drop in traffic experienced in April (due to airspace closures following the Icelandic volcanic eruption) is excluded, the underlying growth was around 6%.
As more than 500 aviation delegates gather for the Association's annual General Assembly this week in Barcelona, these results are a modest but welcome sign of gradual recovery from the global financial crisis. However, the cost of meeting the unlimited liability for meals and accommodation of passengers required by Regulation 261/2004 during the volcanic ash crisis, in addition to the loss of revenue from cancelled flights, has led to significant losses for airlines in certain parts of Europe.
Addressing Airline Presidents and the media this morning, Mike Ambrose, director general said: "The fall-out from the eruption was not just ash but severe cash difficulties for many airlines, worsening the already difficult position resulting from 2008 and 2009. Politicians and regulators promised assistance to airlines but virtually none has been forthcoming."
During the same period, capacity has remained static with zero growth in seats. Average passenger load factors overall have remained stable at 64% but again the impact of the volcano has artificially reduced this figure (load factor improved by 1-2% in every month except in April).
The full Jan-Jun 2010 results will be published in the October edition of Regional International