European Regions Airline Association

Traffic improves in Q2, but revenue down 12% and fuel costs up 6%.

The European Regions Airline Association (ERA), which represents 66 European airlines operating 1.7 million flights a year, has recorded a drop in passenger traffic of -7.2% for the first half of 2009. While demand has improved in the second quarter, costs are rising and yields are dangerously low.

In spite of the improvement in the second quarter, more than 70% of airlines are still reporting no growth or negative passenger growth. Meanwhile, data for the first quarter of 2009 show that average revenue per passenger is 12% lower than Q1 2008, while average fuel costs are 6% higher. Fuel now represents 10% of total costs.

With hours dropping -10.6% and landings -10.1% between Jan-Jun 2009, airlines appear to be continuing to cut aircraft capacity to meet the drop in demand. Passenger Load Factor is reported at 61.7%, down from 63.8% for the first half of 2008.

While on-time punctuality has improved from 85% to 89%, punctuality within 60 minutes has decreased by one percentage point to 97% (from 98%).

Passenger demand through Europe's regional airports has also slumped from 5.1% in the first half of 2008 to -9.1% in the first half of 2009, and movements from 3.2% to -9.3%.

Mike Ambrose, director general of ERA, says: "There may be signs of a slow recovery in some states, but overall traffic levels are still extremely depressed, while yields continue to reduce.

"The European Commission and European Parliament have pressed on with their regulatory and legislative programmes concerning air transport regardless of the state of the industry. We must now try to influence the new Parliament and any new appointees in the Commission that what the industry needs is certainty and stability."

The full Jan-Jun 2009 results and range of ERA airline and airport statistics are published at:
http://www.eraa.org/fly-europe/statistics.php

ENDS