“Although the number of passengers rose 8 percent in the first quarter, compared to 2007, the growth rate of total income was much smaller,” one of the company’s owners, Dragos Anastasiu, told Business Standard.
The drop in income was caused by lower fees on certain markets, given the fierce competition in the international transportation field.
Following Romania’s EU accession on 1 January 2007, the transportation market registered massive demand for transportation to Western destinations, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Germany. There was a drop of passengers for Italy and Spain, previously among major destinations for Romanians, and in fees due to powerful competition.
The company estimates €39.4 million in turnover in 2008, 20 percent higher year-on-year. Eurolines’ main competitor is market leader Atlassib, controlled by businessman Ilie Carabulea.
