While European regionals are posting high growth rates and record load factors, their yields remain under pressure, according to a new report issued by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA). Intra-European airlines have recorded passenger growth of 8.2 percent while growth in the number of flights has slowed from three percent to 1.3 percent in 2006, proving that passenger growth can be accommodated while reducing the environmental impact of aviation, an important factor in the battle against climate change.
Figures released last week also report average passenger loads of 63.9 percent, an almost 2.5 point rise over 2005 and the highest load factor recorded for year-end results since ERA began collecting data in 1987. However, it was still well shy of the average 79 percent record load factors posted by U.S. regionals.
However, European regionals have a far higher average aircraft size at an average of 70 seats, having grown steadily throughout 2006. In short, ERA airlines are carrying more passengers, but on fewer flights and in slightly larger aircraft. In contrast to this positive growth, yields have been consistently lower in 2006 than in 2005.
“ERA airlines have a history of meeting challenges head on and the issue of climate change is one we take very seriously,” says ERA Director General Mike Ambrose. “By exercising prudent cost-containment strategies, these airlines have demonstrated that environmentally sustainable growth is achievable. Flying is one of the more efficient forms of transport. Global airline CO2 efficiency per passenger improved by nearly 20 percent in the last decade and at least 25 percent additional improvement is expected by 2020. No other form of transport has made such consistently huge strides in limiting its environmental impact, nor is constantly seeking ways to improve even further,” says Ambrose. For a complete statistical report click here.