Ryanair pax up 8% in Mar-2011. Growth of 21% from Mar-2009; 461% since Mar-2002. Load factors stable
Ryanair reported an 8% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers in Mar-2011 to 5.7 million. This marks a 21% increase in passenger numbers from Mar-2009 levels and a 461% increase from the 1.0 million passengers handled by the LCC ten years ago in Mar-2002.
The 8% increase experienced between Mar-2010 and Mar-2011 marks the slowest pace of growth in the past decade, with the exception of the 4.9% increase reported in the height of the recession, between Mar-2008 and Mar-2009. But the moderation will be short-lived. Ryanair has scheduled a 20%+ increase in capacity in Apr-2011.
See related report: Southwest still world's biggest LCC, IndiGo the fastest growing, Ryanair surging: Low-cost carrier rankings
Ryanair Passenger Numbers (2009 to 2011)
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and airline reports
Load factors remain unchanged
Ryanair's load factors remained unchanged from Mar-2010 levels at 79%.
NB: CAPA Members have access to live monthly traffic data for over 130 carriers worldwide. See the 'Traffic' tab on the Ryanair profile.
Ryanair Passenger Load Factor (2009 to 2011)
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and airline reports
Achieves FY2011 growth target of 73.5 million pax. Record pax in 2010 calendar year
In the year to date, the carrier, Europe's largest LCC and the world's largest airline by international passengers, handled 73.5 million passengers with an average load factor of 82%. This achievement meets the carrier's forecast for the fiscal year. (In 2009, Ryanair was the largest international carrier in the world, according to IATA, handling almost 24 million more international passengers than second placed Lufthansa).
Ryanair fleet and passenger growth
|
FY to Mar |
Total fleet |
Disposals |
Pax traffic |
Pax growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010 |
232 |
-3 |
66.5m |
+14% |
|
2011 |
272 |
-10* |
73.5m |
+11% |
|
2012 |
294 |
-3* |
83.5m |
+7% |
|
2013 |
299 |
-10* |
83.5m |
+6% |
The carrier has, however, previously downgraded its passenger forecast for 2012 and 2013, from an initially planned 80 million in 2012 to 78.5 million and from an estimated 85 million in FY2013 to 83.5 million.
Ryanair handled a record 72.0 million passengers in calendar year 2010, representing growth of 10% from 65.3 million in 2009.
Ryanair passenger numbers and passenger numbers growth: FY2005 to FY2013F
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & Ryanair
Ryanair operates more than 1,500 flights per day from 44 bases and 1200+ routes across 27 countries, connecting 160 destinations. Around 92% of the carrier's capacity is deployed in Western Europe.
Ryanair international capacity by region (04-Apr-2011 to 10-Apr-2011)
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and Innovata
Ryanair operates a fleet of 270 B737-800 aircraft at present, according to Ascend. The carrier owns 84% of its present fleet, according to Ascend. The LCC currently employs more than 8,000 people.
Ryanair fleet (at 04-Apr-2011)
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and Ascend Worldwide