EasyJet leads UK air traffic

The latest industry statistics released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have been welcomed by operators of EasyJet, who can now lay claim to being the UK’s largest airline. This represents the second consecutive year that EasyJet has been awarded the prestigious accolade by CAA.

Data from the airline and its overseeing body confirmed that the low-cost carrier flew a greater number of passengers than any other UK-based airline for 2009.

The annual total of 28.1 million customers that flew with EasyJet in the last calendar year meant it topped the table for passenger traffic, narrowly beating Ryanair by 50,000 passengers. The UK’s largest airliner, British Airways, was placed third with a total of 26.3 million passengers in what was an annus horibilis for the troubled national icon. In fourth place was bmi, while Flybe was placed fifth, with both carriers carrying just over 6.5 million passengers each.

Andy Harrison, EasyJet CEO, claimed that the data showed that EasyJet can now be truly considered to be the British national airline. Harrison also suggested that the travelling public have voted with their feet and choosing to walk onto EasyJet craft more than any other. Wallet voting may have also played a significant role with bigger carriers such as BA suffering from reduced staff and fleet size.