Ryanair announced it carried 4.20 million passengers in February down 3% with a load factor of 77% up 1% and in the rolling 12 months to the end of February it carried 79.3 million passengers, as Ryanair grounded up to 80 aircraft February 2012 was a leap year and thus had 29 days which accounts for a further 3% drop in traffic.

Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said “As previously guided, Ryanair’s adjusted February 2013 traffic fell by 3% over February 2012 as we grounded up to 80 aircraft. The leap year of February 2012 had 29 days and accounted for a further 3% drop. However, Ryanair’s load factor increased by 1% and we delivered another record 12-month traffic as almost 80m passengers chose one of Ryanair’s ultra-low fares since February 2012.”

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 5th March 2013 All Rights Reserved.