No-frills ‘unprecedented’ expansion in 2002
It would be hard to miss that fact that no-frills carriers have gone from strength-to-strength this year, but recent figures provided by OAG reveal the remarkable extent of their growth.
During 2002 the number of no-frills flights to and from the UK increased by 73 percent, or 1,773 flights. The growth of UK domestic no-frills flights was even more impressive – increasing 129 percent in the past year, or an additional 775 flights a week.
While the UK remains the fastest growing market in the no-frills sector, no-frills flights in Europe as a whole increased 119 percent. This would probably have been buoyed by growth in the German market, where Lufthansa launched Germanwings, and TUI launched Hapag-Llyod Express in the latter half of the year.
The no-frills model has also taken hold outside Europe, with 121 percent growth in Pacific Asia and Australia. Within the US no-frills flights have increased less markedly, by 18 percent, but between North and South America, no-frills flights have increased by 98 percent.
OAG data marketing director, Lynne Fraser said the expansion of the no-frills sector around the global was “unprecedented”.
OAG collates information on flight schedules around the world. It produces a global report on airline schedules every quarter.
Read our previous stories:
06-Dec-2002 No-frills battle it out over fares
21-Nov-2002 BA launches new no-frills offensive
14-Nov-2002 No-frills online bookings approach 90%
04-Nov-2002 Ryanair’s record results
21-Oct-2002 No-frills carriers adopt subtle differences to survive
20-Sept-2002 Virgin Express ditches German plans
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