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(Alliance News) - European budget airlines Ryanair Holdings PLC and Wizz Air Holdings PLC on Friday said they carried more passengers last month than in April and a year before.
Dublin-based Ryanair said the number of passengers carried in May rose by 10% to 17.0 million from 15.4 million a year earlier. This also was up from 16.0 million in April. Ryanair's load factor improved to 94% in May from 92% a year before and unchanged from 94% in April.
Ryanair noted that passenger traffic in May had been hurt by French ATC strikes. It operated over 94,400 flights over the month, but cancelled over 300 on industrial action.
On a rolling 12 month basis to May 31, the number of passengers carried by Ryanair climbed 39% to 171.9 million from 123.8 million a year before. Load factor increased to 94% from 84%.
Budapest-based Wizz Air said it carried 5.0 million passengers in May, up 22% from 4.1 million a year before. This also was up from 4.9 million in April. The load factor improved to 90.2% from 84.2% a year before, and up from 90.9% in April.
On a rolling 12-month basis to May 31, passenger numbers surged 59% to 53.2 million from 33.5 million a year before. Load factor improved to 88.9% from 80.3%.
Ryanair shares last traded at EUR16.71 in Dublin on Thursday, while Wizz Air shares last traded at 2,791.03 pence.
By Holly Beveridge, Alliance News reporter
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