2011 passenger numbers up by 24 million says AEA

A 7.1% increase in passenger numbers for 2011 has been announced by the Association of European Airlines (AEA) – 24 million up on those recorded for 2010.

The figures, albeit provisional, represent a profit for the 35 AEA members of €1.5 billion, a significant increase on the €0.5 billion reported in 2010.

“There is much to encourage us in the 2011 figures. In times of austerity and financial turmoil, European citizens continue to vote for air travel in unprecedented numbers,” said AEA Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus.

He continued: “Even after adjusting for the exceptional events of 2010, we still saw 6% underlying revenue passenger kilometres growth. Unfortunately we cannot, and do not, expect this buoyancy to last. Air freight – a key barometer for the industry – has been slowing since May and we began to see passenger traffic cool down in the final quarter of 2011. Meanwhile, fuel costs remain cripplingly high and aviation continues to be a target for additional regulatory burdens, further impacting financial stability.”

The ‘exceptional’ events of 2010 referred to by Mr Schulte-Strathaus include the cancellation of many flights due to volcanic ash clouds.