Low fares business model "robust"
Low cost airlines saw a 15.7% growth in passenger traffic in 2008 according to the latest statistics from the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA).
The association said its members - including Flybe, easyJet and Ryanair - had carried 149.5 million passengers, up from 120.7 million in 2007.
The figures include new members clickair and Jet2 which account for 9.8 million passengers, taking the total down to 139.7 million.
John Hanlon, secretary general of the ELFAA, said the statistics showed that "the low fares business model is robust, even in times of crisis in the aviation industry."
"ELFAA member airlines continue to grow at a steady pace while maintaining high load factors," he said.
"Now more than ever before, European consumers, whether travelling for leisure or on business, are opting for the best value-for-money air services, low fares and reliable operations."
Average load factor, or percentage of seats filled came in at 81.5%, down slightly from 82% in 2007.
The number of daily flights recorded for 2008 was 3,410 (3,179 not including new members) up from 2,886 the year before.
Out of the current 12 airline members, Ryanair and easyJet carried the lion's share of passengers, totalling 102.3 million on 1,950 daily flights, more than twice the combined total of the remaining membership.
The average fleet age is 5.2 years, with Sky Europe's the youngest at 2.0 years and Jet2's the oldest at 21.