Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
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.
19 February 2019
Hundreds of passengers have had their travel plans cancelled following the collapse of airline flybmi.
[more...]
16 February 2019
Holidaymakers were left fuming after a "lack of clarity" over Brexit led a Romanian airline to cancel flights from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.
15 February 2019
British Airways celebrated Valentine's Day with a special flight where all members of the cabin crew were couples who work for the airline.
14 February 2019
The "concerning" level of stigma surrounding the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be putting some women off going for vital check-ups, campaigners are warning.
13 February 2019
Older people living with depression should be given better access to community activities and therapy instead of being prescribed antidepressants, researchers have urged.
12 February 2019
The Government has been criticised for failing to act on warnings about the link between processed meats and cancer, by the scientist who co-authored the original advice.
09 February 2019
A grandfather who has battled three types of cancer is cycling from Twickenham to Tokyo in time for the Rugby World Cup - all in aid of charity.
08 February 2019
Lovers of traditional fish and chips are embracing a more health-conscious version of their favourite food, a new study suggests.
07 February 2019
Two thirds of UK adults don't know they're able to lower their risk of developing dementia, new research has shown.
06 February 2019
More than 600 people a day are quitting their jobs to care for relatives, a charity has warned.
05 February 2019
Millennials in the US face an increasing risk of developing an obesity-related cancer, a new study has revealed.
02 February 2019
More than 100 people sought refuge at a pub high on Bodmin Moor overnight after heavy snowfall hit the A30, leading many stranded motorists to abandon their cars.