UK: Government figures suggest previous estimates were flawed
Demand for travel could rise in the future much faster than previously predicted – largely because of the rise of no-frills carriers, according to a Government study.
The Daily Telegraph reveals details of a study that suggests passenger numbers will outstrip previous estimates by the Department of Transport. Estimates by the Government three years ago suggested that demand would rise from 180 million passengers a year now, to more than 500 million in 2030.
However, a document reportedly seen by senior industry figures and then leaked to the Telegraph “concludes that the impact of budget airlines and the competitive response of some traditional carriers could push demand beyond the earlier projection”.
The 2000 figures suggested that no-frills carriers would attract no more than 30 million passengers before the year 2020; in fact that figure has already been exceeded.
