AEA: European airlines achieved record load factor of 81% in 2014

Association of European Airlines (AEA) reported (05-Jan-2015) a record load factor of almost 81% for its member airlines in 2014. Traffic increased by 11 million in 2014, with a 4.4% increase in RPKs. AEA stated: "Three quarters of the passengers flew on Intra-European routes. As in 2013, the greatest proportional increase was seen on the long haul network which registered a passenger growth of 4.5%. On routes within Europe, including domestic services, passenger growth amounted to 2.7%. With only modest capacity expansion, this increased demand has been met thanks to the commercial strategies of the airlines and better aircraft utilisation." FTKs are also expected to rise 2% for 2014. [more - original PR]