Monarch continued to see passenger numbers soar in September, with the airline carrying over 348,000 passengers on its scheduled services, a 20.7% increase on the same period last year. Monarch, which beat off competition from Virgin Atlantic and bmi amongst others to win the prestigious TTG (Travel Trade Gazette) Leisure Airline of the year award, has seen sustained passenger growth despite the recent heightened security levels and an indifferent summer for the UK’s big Tour Operators.

Monarch’s passenger statistics for scheduled services during September 2006:

September 2005

Passenger numbers (1) 288,447

Load factor (2) 85.3%

Internet sales percentage (3) 84%

September 2006

Passenger numbers (1) 348,115

Load factor (2) 85.8%

Internet sales percentage (3) 88%

% change

Passenger numbers (1) +20.7%

Load factor (2) +0.4%

Internet sales percentage (3) +4%
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