Ryanair has seized on latest Iata customer data that it says confirms its transformation from the budget airline everyone loved to hate, to the one everyone loves.
The global aviation body has released its top 10 international airlines ranked by passenger numbers in 2015, Ryanair sitting pretty at the top with 101.4 million.
The Irish budget airline’s performance was almost 40 million more than second-placed Easyjet (on 62.6 million) and 55m more than Lufthansa in fourth (46.9 million).
Ryanair celebrated the accolade by releasing 100,000 seats for sale across its European network, at prices starting from €19.99 for travel in October and November.
The seats are being made available on Ryanair.com until midnight Monday (August 29).
Ryanair spokesman Robin Kiely said: “Iata has once again confirmed that Ryanair remains the world’s favourite airline as we became the first airline in the world to carry more than 100 million international customers in one year, thanks to our “Always Getting Better” programme and by offering the lowest fares in Europe.
“Customers can look forward to more new routes, new digital features, new cabin interiors and even more low fares, as we carry more than 117m customers this year.”