ARC NEWS
​Ryanair the operator of one in 10 European flights this year
October 26, 2022
Ryanair's apparent status as a structural winner out of the pandemic is reinforced by Eurocontrol data showing that the low-cost carrier operated just over 10% of European services during the first nine months of the year. The data, contained in a snapshot issued by the air traffic manager, equates to a capacity increase of 9% on 2019. This gives Ryanair a capacity share nearly twice that of the second largest airline in Europe by number of flights, EasyJet. the UK carrier's number of flights was down 21% versus the same period in 2019. Beyond Ryanair, the only other large European airline to have increased its capacity since 2019 is Wizz Air. The central European budget airline's number of flights rose 12% and it accounted for 2.6% of European services. Meanwhile, the largest declines were at Norwegian, down 46%; SAS and Eurowings, both down 37%; British Airways, down 32%; and Lufthansa, down 31%. Eurocontrol’s data also serves to underline the growth in low-cost airlines over the past 30 years. Their market share has expanded from 1.6% in 1998 to 33% in 2022's first nine months as they benefited from the liberalisation of the European air transport market. "LCCs reacted rapidly to variations in demand, cutting harder but recovering more swiftly," notes Eurocontrol. "For the months January to September, the LCC segment grew from 31.9% in 2019 to 32.5% in 2022. In particular, Ryanair and Wizz Air quickly exploited the high demand for intra-European leisure traffic and expanded operations to 109% and 112% of their respective 2019 levels."


​Qatar Airways signs SAF deal with Gevo
October 26, 2022
Qatar Airways has agreed to purchase 25 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel from US producer Gevo, starting 2028, as part of emissions-reduction plans. The Middle Eastern carrier will receive the deliveries over five years at "various airports" across California, it says, and will blend the product with existing supplies of conventional jet fuel. Within the US state, it currently serves Los Angeles and San Francisco. "Qatar Airways continues to prioritise our commitment to net-zero flying by the middle of this century," states group chief executive Akbar Al Baker. "Decarbonising aviation requires a gradual incorporation of lower carbon and sustainable aviation fuels, and we are proud to collaborate on this global effort for a better future." The airline intends to replace a tenth of its conventional jet fuel needs with SAF by 2030, a commitment shared with other Oneworld carriers. Members of the alliance had previously agreed to purchase 200 million US gallons of SAF from Gevo ."By working with farmers on regenerative agricultural practices, Gevo can sustainability source feedstock to produce sustainable aviation fuel, while also increasing soil health, sequestering carbon, and providing nutritional products to the food chain," states Gevo chief executive Patrick Gruber.


Volaris' operating income falls 78% in third quarter
October 25, 2022
Volaris made an operating income of $35 million in the third quarter, down 78% from $156 million during the same period a year ago. The Mexican carrier says its operating revenue grew 20% year on year to $769 million, driven by higher capacity, strong load factors and seasonality. Net income fell 47% to $40 million. Total operating expenses grew 52% to 734 million, driven by higher fuel costs and major maintenance, the airline says. "We have consistently anticipated strong demand in our visiting friends-and-relatives and leisure markets which show no signs of a slowdown. Our strategically planned growth has been both consistent and profitable," Volaris chief executive Enrique Beltranena says. Volaris carried more than 8.1 million passengers in the quarter, an increase of 22% year on year. Domestic and international passengers increased 23% and 20%, respectively, it says. Capacity, as measured in available seat-miles, was boosted by 22%, while revenue passenger-miles also grew 22%. Load factor reached 86%, 0.2 percentage points higher than the same period in 2021. At 30 September, cash and cash equivalents were $750 million, representing 28% of the last 12 months' operating revenue. Volaris redelivered one Airbus A319ceo and introduced one new A320neo to its fleet during the quarter. As of 30 September, the airline had 113 aircraft in its fleet, including five A319s, 87 A320s and 21 A321s. It plans to end the year with approximately 116 aircraft.


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