CAPA Outlook 2015: Western Europe - Uncertain impact of lower fuel prices to determine the outlook

The economic backdrop in Western Europe was sluggish in 2014 and remains fragile into 2015. In particular, the eurozone nations continue to struggle to recover fully from the global recession. A Jan-2015 poll of economists conducted by the Financial Times suggests that most experts expect GDP growth in the eurozone to be around only 1% in 2015.

This is a little better than 2014, but well short of the cyclical peak growth rates in excess of 3% that have not been seen since 2007.

For 2015, the two most important strategic issues facing Western Europe's legacy airlines, particularly the Big Three flag carrier groups, will be restructuring in their core businesses and maximising their low-cost vehicles.