Airlines See Passenger Numbers Rise
December 6, 2005
By KRISTY DORSEY
TWO of Europe’s largest airlines reported rising passenger figures in November, with BA posting 6.3percent up on the previous November and Ryanair posting a 25percent increase.
BA, Europe’s third-largest airline, said its figures were driven ahead by a significant rise in first and business class travel. As a result, its passenger load factor – which measures the number of bums on seats – improved to 73.2percent.
Low fares rival Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by market value, saw load factor drop by one point to 81percent despite an increase in the number of passengers carried to 2.75million.
Ryanair said 98percent of its November seats were booked via the internet.