ALAN PEAFORD
Boeing says its 737 family is helping to make low-fare airlines the fastest-growing air transport market sector in Europe.
According to Boeing figures, low-fare carriers account for only 4% of European air travel. But they are showing a phenomenal passenger growth rate of around 30% per year. "Nine out of 10 aircraft operated by European low-fare carriers are 737s," says Carolyn Corvi, general manager of the Boeing 737 programme. "The numbers speak for themselves. The 737 family is the product of choice for this fast-growing market."
A Boeing study of the low-fare sector found sustained short-term growth among these carriers. The trend is expected to turn moderate over time, with a focus on mainland Europe.
The study also reveals that the cumulative effect of lower fares and lower aircraft operating costs makes this market much more recession-resistant.
"The key to the 737's success with European low-fare operators is simple airplane economics," Corvi says. "The 737 has the lowest operating costs of any airplane in its class and has a superior dispatch reliability rate."
The newest version of the 737 is on track to achieve a 15% reduction in maintenance costs over earlier 737s, according to Corvi. "In addition, fleet support, commonality and the continual technological upgrades that we build into our product makes the 737 a natural for this market," she says.
Source: Flight Daily News
