Aer Lingus owners International Airlines Group carried a record 100.6m passengers in 2016, slightly ahead of expectations.
Aer Lingus can be estimated to have contributed just over 12m of the total.
In total, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling carried 100,675,056 passengers – up 14pc on 2015. It makes them the third largest airline group in Europe behind Ryanair (116.78m) and Lufthansa (et to be announced but estimated at 114m). It comes at the end of a summer when Vueling performed most poorly of the four IAG brands.
Willie Walsh, head of IAG
IAG’s chief executive, Willie Walsh, said: “This month, IAG celebrates its sixth birthday and our airlines continue to go from strength to strength. Last year we carried more passengers than ever before with our flights 81.6pc full. Iberia was the most punctual major global airline in 2016 and its subsidiary, Iberia Express, was the best performing low cost carrier in the world.”
Group traffic for 2016, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, was up 9.7pc while capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was up 9.4pc.
IAG passengers stats January 2017
Air France-KLM’s passengers increased by 4pc to 93.44m in 2016, with Air France down 1pc to 63m and KLM up 6pc to 30.4m. Air France’s problems can be attributed to strikes that saw passenger numbers drop over several months and attacks in Paris that dmaaged tourism.
Maria Sinnott
Latest posts by Maria Sinnott (see all)
- Aer Lingus moves Shannon-Heathrow flight time to aid businesses - January 10, 2017
- Belinda Vazquez to replace Chris Logan as head of Falcon, Thomson and Crystal in Ireland - January 10, 2017
- Dublin slips to 4th fastest growing large airport in ACI European airport league - January 10, 2017
- Ireland 9th overall & 3rd in Europe in Rough Guide readers 2017 destination list - January 10, 2017
- Aer Lingus owner IAG group carries 100.6m passengers in 2016, Air France KLM carry 93.44m - January 9, 2017
