Ryanair aiming for 1m passengers from Manchester in 2009

19.3.2009   (Crains)

By James Chapelard

Irish carrier Ryanair hopes to carry 1 million passengers from Manchester for
the first time in 2009 by adding new routes and increasing frequency on others.

It will need to achieve a 57 per cent increase on the 634,000 it carried in 2008
if the target is to be achieved.

Ryanair announced today it was increasing frequency on its Brussels (Charleroi)
route to a daily service from the current four days a week.

Laura McCormack, Ryanair sales and marketing executive, refused to discuss what
and how many routes would be added.

She said Manchester could lower aviation charges further to support the move,
although she stressed the same demands had been made of many other airports.

The carrier – known for its controversial outburst and unusual marketing – currently
flies 10 routes from Manchester after adding seven destinations in 2008.

On charges, McCormack said "We feel there could be a bit more support given.
While other airlines such as British Airways and BMI withdraw routes, Ryanair
continues to go from strength to strength as passenger traffic to and from Manchester
increased by a massive 49 per cent, providing excellent growth opportunities for
the airport."

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090319/FREE/903199976/1006/rss01&rssfeed=rss01

Passenger figures for Manchester airport over the past ten   years (all airlines,
including Ryanair):

(thousands)

1998     17 201

1999     17 418

2000     18 349

2001      19 082

2002     18 618

2003     19 520

2004     20 969

2005     22 083

2006      22 124

2007     21 892

2008     21 063   (down -4% on 2007)

CAA figures

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport_data/2008Annual/Table_10_3_Terminal_Pax_1998_2008.pdf