Blue Air’s business stagnated in Q1 2009, at €30 mln

“The Romanian air market will no longer register the same growth as in previous years. However, some months will generate higher revenue than the winter months, such as February, when sales were very low,” the company official told Business Standard.

In January and February the company registered some 13,000 passengers. “There will be significant increases as of April, to peak in summer months, when I think we will transport up to 130,000 passengers,” Racaru said.

Regarding the turnover for 2009, Blue Air’s General Manager said that it is too early to make estimates, considering nobody can say what will happen on this market. “If the number of charters drops, the turnover will decline. It is too early to put forward numbers,” Racaru added. At the beginning of 2009, the company’s General Manager estimated €150 mln in net sales compared to €120 mln in 2008, and a 25 percent rise in the number of passengers.

Market players said that revenues to be posted in 2009 by air transporters operating on the local market will slide 15 percent, to just over €160 mln.