Low-cost airlines ‘seek to shed no-frills image’

Low-cost airlines are attempting to shed their no-frills image in a bid to attract business class passengers, says Emirates Ireland country manager Enda Corneille.

In its latest accounts, Emirates reported profits of €5.5bn from just under 50 million passengers. Ryanair’s profits for the same period rose 66% to €614m from 80 million passengers.

In its 30-year history, Emirates has doubled in size every three to four years. Ryanair and some other successful low-cost carriers have had comparable growth. However, air travel trends are changing rapidly, both for passengers and the airlines.