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Transport

Ryanair and Wizz Air passenger numbers still pressured in August despite an easing of travel restrictions

Ryanair saw passengers drop by 53% last month, while Wizz Air flew 41% fewer passengers

Ryanair Holdings plc (LON:RYA) and Wizz Air Holdings PLC (LON:WIZZ) both saw lower passenger numbers in August despite coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions being eased across Europe.

Ryanair saw passenger numbers drop by 53% year on year to 7mln last month, having operated 60% of its normal schedule with a 73% load factor. In the year to date, passenger numbers have fallen to 88.9mln, or by 40% compared with 2019.

READ: Wizz Air to operate at 60% capacity until December

Meanwhile, Wizz Air flew 41% fewer passengers at 2.3mln, with capacity down 20% and its load factor at 71%.

Wizz's total passenger numbers in the 12 months to August 31, were down by 28% to 26mln.

Despite the pandemic, the Eastern Europe-focused low-cost carrier added two new bases in the UK last month, and new routes in the UK, Italy, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

Shares in Ryanair dipped 1% to €11.74 while Wizz Air shed 2% to 3,676p early on Wednesday.

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