World Low-Cost Airlines Congress

摘要

140 airlines were represented at this year's World low-cost carriers (LCC) Congress, including easyJet, Flybe, bmibaby, First Choice and Monarch. Aaron Heslehurst, BBC World presenter, made the introductions saying 'This is one of the most exciting times in aviation history. Never before have so many people travelled by air.', and remarked that LCCs now make up 20% of the world market. John Hanlon, Secretary General of the European Low Fares Airlines Association pointed out that 30% of European traffic is now low cost' and explained how the European low cost sector was created as a direct result of deregulation - the third package (1993) which created 'open skies' within the EU. The low-cost sector is now facing the threat of 're-regulation by stealth', such as increasing air passenger duty (APD), unfair EU passenger compensation rules, etc., a point that was vehemently underlined by the T-shirt sported by Andy Harrison, easyJet's CEO, 'Say no to skyway robbery', and the man dressed as a pirate outside easyJet's press conference.