Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Flying High

What's the world's most popular international airline?

The answer might surprise you.

RYANAIR HAS BEEN named the world’s most popular carrier of international passengers.

The latest IATA figures show that the low-cost airline carried 81.3 million international passengers last year, almost 29 million more than second-placed Easyjet (52.7 million) and 30 million more than third-placed Lufthansa (50.7 million).

The figures show that Ryanair carried more international passengers than:

  • EasyJet, Iberia and SAS combined (76 million)
  • British Airways, Air France and Alitalia combined (77 million)
  • Lufthansa and Air Berlin combined (74 million)
  • Over eight times more passengers than Aer Lingus (9.6 million)

Ryanair estimates it will carry more than 84.6 million passengers this year, says spokesperson Robin Kiely.

PastedImage-79296

“Even the combined traffic of EasyJet, Iberia and SAS is still less than Ryanair’s total traffic.”

He said that passengers would increase on the back of a second carry-on bag allowance and a seat sale taking place this week.

Read: Ground staff blamed as Ryanair plane rolls into a fire station at Rome Airport

Your Voice
Readers Comments
74
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.