Concern is being raised over the sustainability of the low-cost airline model which is showing its fragility with the bankruptcy of three major carriers, Monarch, Air Berlin and Alitalia, and the thousands of flight cancellations by Ryanair
This is of particular concern to the tourism industry in the Costa del Sol as some 70% of passengers who use Málaga airport fly with low cost carriers.
Added to this is that with the bankruptcy of these three airlines more than one million seats have been removed from the market, and it is seems unlikely that the remaining carriers will be able to meet the demand as they are already working at full capacity.
The State Air Safety Agency (AESA) says that the thousands of passengers affected by the bankruptcies should make a claim against the airlines to ensure that they comply with passengers’ rights. A spokesperson of the Facua Consumers Association has advised the same course of action against airlines who are routinely affected by delays and cancellations. It is hoped that current airlines will ‘bridge the gap’, fill the needs and add stability to this and other journeys.
