easyJet PLC (LON:EZJ) and British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group PLC (LON:IAG) saw an increase in passenger numbers last month, with IAG launching new shorthaul low-cost Austrian subsidiary.
The FTSE 100-listed easyJet said it flew 7.9mln passengers in June 2018, up from 7.7mln at the same month a year ago. The airline’s load factor – the ratio of passengers to available seats - rose to 95.4% from 94.8%.
READ: IAG to offer short-haul flights from Vienna
The low-cost airline had to cancel 1,263 flights in June 2018, compared to only 213 at the same time a year ago. Around 900 were due to French and Italian industrial action with a further 150 arising from ATC restrictions and adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, IAG said group traffic in June 2018, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, increased by 9.1%. The company flew 24.9mln passengers, up from 22.8mln in June 2017.
IAG launched its new shorthaul low-cost Austrian subsidiary, branded as LEVEL, with flights from Vienna starting on 17 July 2018.