Two of the largest budget carriers operating in the UK have reported some limited return in travel demand this summer after passenger numbers picked up in August.
Ryanair, which operated around 60% of its normal August schedule, flew seven million passengers last month – down 53% from 14.9 million a year ago – at a load factor of 73%.
This is up from the 70% decline it reported in July when, operating 40% of its normal July schedule, Ryanair carried 4.4 million passengers – down 70% year-on-year.
Wizz Air, meanwhile, saw August flight demand slump by 41% to 2.4 million passenger carryings. It posted a load factor of 70.9%, which is down from 96.3% in August 2019.
This was up from the 1.8 million passengers it carried in July, down 53% year-on-year, on a load factor of 60.5% (down from 95.6% in July 2019).
Last month, owing to "continued uncertainty" over European travel restrictions arising from Covid-19, Ryanair said it was planning to cut September and October capacity by 20%.
Meanwhile, Wizz Air warned on Tuesday (1 September) the Hungarian government’s decision to shut its borders could result in it trimming capacity later in the year.