THE ARRIVAL OF competition on French domestic routes has resulted in a dramatic increase in traffic originating at two of the busiest airports in the country.
In the nine months to the end of September, passenger traffic at Marseilles-Provence Airport increased overall by 5.9%, following a growth of just 0.5% the previous year. At Toulouse, where routes have also been open to competition since the beginning of the year, traffic grew by a surprising 12.6%.
Other airports now served by more than just one carrier (Air Inter) have also experienced growth, although Nice, which has been served by more than one airline for three years, recorded a drop of 0.3% during the period.
UCCEGA, the body representing regional airports, points out that some of the growth has been caused by the development of regional routes within France. "Most of the increase at Marseilles and Toulouse is through the arrival of competition, however," according to a spokesperson.
AOM began flying between Paris Orly and Marseilles in January, and was joined by TAT in May, resulting in an immediate jump of 13% in traffic during June. This continued through the subsequent months to October, when an increase of 25% was recorded.
Source: Flight International
