ELFAA airlines record further increase in passenger numbers

The European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) is delighted to announce that for the 8th consecutive year its member airlines have recorded a sizeable increase in passenger numbers.

The number of passengers travelling on ELFAA airlines grew by 6.7% between July 2012 and July 2013, a period which also saw a 10% increase in the number of aircraft operated by ELFAA members, in order to meet the burgeoning demand.

“These figures demonstrate that ELFAA members are going from strength to strength and are offering consumers what they want, namely affordable and reliable travel” said ELFAA Secretary General John Hanlon.

“We constantly hear about how airlines today are suffering from economic slowdown, and yet low cost airlines are shown to be bucking this trend,” continued Mr Hanlon.

“Clearly, the low cost model is a growth model and is even being replicated by flag carriers – yet some of these carriers still feel compelled to go cap-in-hand to governments asking for state handouts. This hampers the development of a level-playing field and punishes both successful airlines that operate at a profit, as well as consumers who are forced to pay higher ticket prices.”

This positive trend for ELFAA airlines is likely to increase into the future, but there remains much to be done to improve the conditions for low cost operators in Europe.

In addition to tackling state aid to weak flag carriers, ELFAA is also insisting that the EU honours its commitment to revert back to the legally proven "all flights" scope for EU ETS as long as no equivalent agreement is reached by ICAO. 

Furthermore, it will be crucial for EU Member States to properly implement the Single European Sky provisions, to greatly improve efficiency and lessen the environmental impact of aircraft, which are currently forced to take circuitous routes, due to Europe’s outdated and fragmented air traffic management system.

“We call on Parliament and Member States to adopt the Commission’s balanced legislative proposal SES II+ and ensure effective implementation of it, in order to finally give reality to the Single European Sky. The concept of a Single European Sky SES was long since signed up to by Parliament and Member States and has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of air travel in Europe, to the benefit of the economies of Europe, employment and affordable mobility of European citizens”, concluded Mr Hanlon.