Despite the Christmas period's flight disruptions, budget airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air reported an increase in passenger numbers in December. Ryanair saw an 8% rise compared to the same period last year, carrying 13.6 million passengers. Wizz Air also experienced growth, with a 1.9% year-on-year increase, carrying 5.1 million passengers.
The surge in numbers comes despite major UK airports, including Ryanair's main hub Stansted and Gatwick, experiencing disruption due to foggy conditions. Ryanair operated over 77,000 flights in December, boasting a load factor of 92%. This means that throughout 2024, the Irish airline carried 197.2 million passengers, marking an 8% increase from 2023. However, despite the rise in passenger numbers, airlines have seen a decline in average fares due to pressure on consumer spending.
In November, Ryanair revealed a 10% decrease in its average airfare for 2024, impacting its profits. Higher interest rates and attempts to counteract increased living costs among customers have led airlines to reduce prices. Wizz Air's annual rolling total reached 62.7 million passengers, a 3.9% increase from the previous year.
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