7.5% GROWTH & RECORD LOAD FACTORS FOR EUROPE’S REGIONAL AIRLINES 

3 April 2008

Airline members of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) have reported continued scheduled passenger growth of 7.5% and the highest load factor on record of 65% for the year 2007. These figures are released as more than 150 delegates prepare to gather in Malta next week for the annual spring ERA Regional Airline Conference.

Capacity levels also increased in 2007 but to a lesser degree, with seat numbers up 5.2% and available seat kilometres (ASKs) up 7.5% when compared with 2006.

Passenger load factor (PLF) has been rising consistently in this sector for several years. The annual average PLF of 65% for 2007 compares to 63% recorded in 2006, while the highest load factor for a particular month was recorded in September 2007 when PLF was 70.1%.

“ERA member airlines serve regional communities and especially business markets. It is the nature of these markets that such routes are generally thinner in terms of passenger demand with consequential lower passenger loads. It is therefore encouraging to note that the increased focus on yield control is now producing results in the form of higher passenger load factors,” said Mike Ambrose, ERA’s Director General.

Departure punctuality for 2007 improved slightly by 1 percentage point when compared to 2006. On-time punctuality improved from 83% to 84% while departure within 60 minutes of scheduled departure time improved from 97% to 98%.

The percentage of flights operated in 2007 remained the same at 98.2%. On average, 15.7% of flights were delayed in 2007 but only 1.8% of flights were cancelled.

A full analysis of the 2007 ERA traffic statistics are available at: www.eraa.org/fly-europe/statistics.php

ENDS 


NOTES FOR EDITORS
Founded in 1980, ERA is the recognised representative body for intra-European air transport. It currently represents 60 airlines and over 140 Associate and Affiliate members, including airframe and engine manufacturers, airports, suppliers and service providers from all over Europe. For further information, please contact: Lesley Shepherd, Manager, Corporate Communications | Tel: +44 (0)1276 485578 | Fax: +44 (0)1276 857038 | Mobile: +44 (0)7713 984793 |