NEWS TRAVEL WEEKLY BUSINESS CONTINUED FROM THE BACK
through to September. For the trade, the
improvement may be reflected more in price than volume, a sign that capacity remains tight. Analyst GfK reported season-to-date bookings for this summer to the end of July 1% ahead of 2014 and the value of bookings up 3%. Year-on-year bookings in
July were up 1%, in line with the season, but average selling prices were 6% up on the high street and 5% direct. GfK reported: “We’re not
seeing significant discounting on last year’s prices.” Tui reported a 5% increase
in year-on-year bookings to the start of August, with a 1% rise in the average selling price.
GfK’s figures for August
show no sign of the market slackening. At the same time, easyJet and Ryanair last week reported bumper passenger figures, with easyJet citing record load factors and a 7% rise in passengers in August as chief executive Carolyn McCall hailed “strong late-summer demand from UK passengers”. Ryanair reported a 10% increase in passengers on the same month in 2014. The strong market has
carried over into early bookings for summer 2016, with GfK reporting season-to- date bookings to the end of August up 11% on last year. There have been some significant losers – chiefly Tunisia and, to a lesser extent, Turkey. But Greece appears to be flying high despite being caught up in the Syrian refugee crisis and facing a fresh political turmoil. GfK reported the country’s share of bookings in the last week of August up two percentage points on last year to 13%, with the average selling price up £45 year on year.
AIRLINES’ AUGUST CARRYINGS: Trading updates suggest airlines
EasyJet increases profits forecast by up to £50m
EasyJet increased its full-year profit forecast after reporting strong summer trading, fuelled by demand for beach destinations.
The carrier expects to make
up to £50 million more in the 12 months to the end of September than previously forecast, based on the lower end of its expectations. In a statement, the airline said:
“Fuel and currency exchange rate movements remain broadly within previously communicated ranges. “Consequently, full-year
profit before tax guidance is now expected to be in a range of £675 million to £700 million for the year to September 30, from £620 million to £660 million as previously guided.” The budget carrier flew a record
7.06 million passengers in August at a load factor of 94.4%. Chief executive Carolyn McCall
said: “These figures demonstrate the strength of easyJet – a strong customer focus and a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe’s
Ryanair carryings rise 10% to record 10.4m in August
Ryanair carried an August record of 10.4 million passengers last month, up 10% year on year. The budget carrier’s load factor
increased by two percentage points to 95% over August 2014. Ryanair’s carryings for the
rolling year to August were up 15% year on year to 96.3 million. Chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said: “These record
86
travelweekly.co.uk 10 September 2015 FLYING HIGH: EasyJet flew a record 7.06 million passengers in August £700m
The upper level of easyJet’s revised profits forecast for 2014-15
primary airports, with great-value fares, friendly service and industry- leading digital innovations. “This platform . . . will enable
the airline to set new records for full‑year revenue and profit.”
monthly numbers and load factors are due to our lower fares, our stronger forward bookings and the continuing success of our ‘Always Getting Better’ customer experience programme, which continues to deliver stronger‑than‑expected traffic and load factors on our biggest-ever summer schedule. “Ryanair customers can
look forward to more service enhancements in the autumn which include our new car hire service, website, app, cabin interiors and crew uniforms, as well as improved inflight menus.”
EasyJet reported a stronger than
expected revenue performance in August and September, boosted by a 6% hike in capacity and demand for “beach routes” from the UK. The carrier added: “This strong
revenue performance has more than offset the significant cost headwinds that the business has faced this year.” The ‘headwinds’ included two
fires at Rome Fiumicino airport, an £8 million settlement with Eurocontrol and costs associated with higher load factors.
SERVICE ENHANCEMENT: Ryanair has revamped crew uniforms
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