All Policies Include Coronavirus Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
08 June 2017 09:29
Ryanair and easyJet have both benefited from rising passenger figures
Two of Europe's major budget airlines enjoyed strong passenger growth last month, as the summer holiday season got under way.
For easyJet, the year-on-year jump in passengers stood at 9.5% in May, with the total hitting 7.5 million.
And Ryanair saw even better growth, with passenger levels climbing by 11% to 11.8 million overall.
In terms of load factor, the figure for both easyJet and Ryanair stood at 95%. Load factor helps to calculate how efficiently airlines are filling seats.
Mixed news for wider travel sector
While both sets of figures are positive, the situation facing the European travel industry is less clear-cut following recent terror incidents.
Last month, easyJet announced large half-year losses, stemming largely from the collapse in the value of the pound following the 2016 Brexit vote. The later timing of the Easter weekend also weighed on the results. It saw a £236 million pre-tax loss over the six months to March 31.
However, Ryanair has continued to enjoy rising annual profits, with these climbing by 6%. It said profits reached a level of 1.31 billion euro (£1.14 billion) over the year to March 31.
Industry data suggests that many people have been avoiding destinations in Turkey and Egypt as a result of the downing of a plane in Sharm el-Sheikh and an attempted coup by the Turkish army.
Importance of travel insurance
The holiday season will get into full swing in the coming weeks. The country's schools will soon be breaking up for their traditional summer holidays, while many workers will be booking breaks as the weather turns warmer.
Wherever people head abroad on holiday this year, they shouldn't lose sight of trusted travel insurance.
It can cover them against unexpected mishaps overseas, including medical costs, lost luggage expenses and plane delays.
17 March 2020
Escape it all with a visit to one of the world's hidden island gems.
[more...]
02 July 2021
It's time for some Mediterranean sun and unforgettable sights. Here are five of our favourite must-sees in Malta.
Take your pick of the best beaches in Portugal, spanning more than 500 miles of the Portuguese coastline.
Holidays are back but not quite as we know them. Here's a quick guide to what to expect when travelling to and from green list countries.
28 February 2020
From tulip-filled trips to rose-tinged rests, these destinations are the perfect way to see in the new season.
04 January 2021
Join us on a journey to Ancient Greece to discover more about history's most revered statue.
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.