Ryanair Takes the Lead as Europe´s Most Popular Airline

Low-cost carrier Ryanair has taken the top spot as Europe´s most popular airline for the first time from British Airways after the Dublin-based airline carried 3.3 million passengers last month.

The statistics for August published by both Ryanair and BA show that Ryanair carried 156,000 more passengers than BA´s entire network figure.

"Ryanair´s passenger volumes are growing rapidly thanks to new destinations, lowest ever fares, industry leading punctuality and customer service and Ryanair´s guarantee of no fuel surcharges, not today, not tomorrow, not ever,” Ryanair´s CEO, Michael O´Leary said.

BA´s traffic in August fell by 3.9 percent year-on-year, as in the aftermath of the walk-out by baggage-handlers who acted in sympathy with Gate Gourmet catering. Revenue per passenger kilometer also fell by 0.7 percent in August, compared with the previous year.