Number of passengers using low cost airlines up 50%

Romanian integration into the European Union has generated over 50% surge in the number of passengers using low-cost airlines on the local market, while established airline companies saw a growth of 10-20%. TAROM, the biggest established airline operator on the local market, saw a 10% increase in the number of passengers using external flights in the first two months of the year, against the same period in 2007, as well as a 25% rise for domestic flights, according to company representatives. “The number of Blue Air passengers increased by 148% at the beginning of 2007, against the figures recorded in January 2006. Although the beginning of the year generally sees passenger levels increase, as a result of Romanians working abroad returning to work, the growth this year was even greater following entry to the EU, which encouraged many Romanians to travel,” said Florentina Ivan, marketing manager of Blue Air, the biggest low-cost company on the local market. My Air, a low-cost carrier, which currently operates flights from Romania to Italy, saw a significant rise in flights to and from Romania. “Against the first months of last year, the number of passengers increased 70%,” said Antonio Iervolino, the MyAir representative for Romania. Starting in June, MyAir will also introduce flights to Barcelona, Paris and Ibiza. Low-cost operator SkyEurope had an over 90% occupancy rate on its first flight from Bucharest to Rome (Central Fiumicio Airport), a route launched on January 12th this year.