REGIONAL AIRLINE Aer Arann said yesterday that its passenger numbers grew by 3 per cent year on year in the first five months of 2008 to 430,100. It also had its best ever May, with passenger numbers up 10 per cent annually to 105,677.
The airline said its bookings for June are 18.4 per cent ahead of the same month in 2007 and it was also experiencing “positive” growth for the third and fourth quarters of this year.
Aer Arann’s announcement came just 24 hours after Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary had named it among a list of airlines that are in danger of going bust due to the recent spike in oil prices.
Garry Cullen, Aer Arann’s managing director, said the strong performance in May was due “to the great success of Munster Rugby and an excellent performance on Cork-Dublin route”.
Aer Arann said its international routes have registered 10 per cent growth in the first five months of this year. “The underlying passenger results continue to be strong, against a background of tough trading conditions throughout the aviation industry,” Mr Cullen added.
“This year we have adjusted our business model through increasing the aircraft-leasing side of the business. This has opened up new revenue streams and has enabled us to spread the risk during this difficult time for the airline industry.”
Aircraft have been leased to FinnComm and Flybe in the UK.
Aer Arann said it was in “relatively good shape” to withstand the sharp rise in the price of oil, which has traded at more than $130 a barrel recently.
“Our fuel hedging strategy and fuel-efficient aircraft have protected us,” Mr Cullen said.
Aer Arann said sterling’s weakness against the euro had also affected yields.
