Ryanair: Worlds most popular airline for international passengers

Ryanair carried more international passengers than any other airline last year, according to the latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The budget airline carried 40 million passengers over the course of 2006, ahead of Lufthansa (38 million), Air France (30 million) and British Airways (29 million). Damit scheint sich zu bewahrheiten, daß die größten Anbietern von Jugendreisen inzwischen die Billig Airlines sind. Denn der Anteil junger Menschen bei ihren Flügen ist inzwischen schon traditionell hoch.

Ryanair’s seemingly unstoppable rise has been driven by low fares and its route network continues to grow. New destinations added so far in 2007 include Dalmatia and Pula in Croatia, Warsaw and Katowice in Poland and Maribor in Slovenia.

Further, Ryanair’s own passenger statistics show that it carried 43 million passengers in the 12 months to the end of May 2007 – up by 17 per cent year-on-year. The airline’s Peter Sherrard noted that "ten years ago most of the other airlines on this IATA ranking carried ten times more passengers than Ryanair". He continued: "Today, Ryanair carries more international passengers than anyone else in the world. This growth has been delivered by giving passengers exactly what they want: the lowest fares, the best punctuality, the youngest aircraft and no fuel surcharges guaranteed."

The carrier’s main low-cost rival, easyJet, was sixth on the IATA list, carrying a total of 22 million cross-border passengers last year. KLM, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Cathay Pacific rounded out the top five.