After the period of growth that the sector was recorded, with a trend of steady increase in air traffic,
passengers and cargo,
the unfavorable economic developments have given since the second half of 2008, a
significant deterioration in demand.
In 2008, the aggregate turnover of the Spanish airline is around 9950 million euros, an increase of only 0.6% over the previous year. This rate contrasts with those obtained in 2007 (+8.0%) and 2006 (+13.9%).
Passenger transport grew by only 0.7% to 9.346 million euros in 2008. The regular sub transportation absorbed about 88% of this amount (8,217 million). The non-scheduled
passengers fell by 12%, accents tuando thus its downward trend.
The hike in fuel prices during 2007 and especially the first half of 2008 led to a significant fall in profitability of companies in air transport. The deterioration was particularly intense in the last year, in a context where in the latter part of the exercise was a significant contraction in demand.
In the short to medium term is expected to extend the current scenario of eco-nomic recession, demand will continue to deteriorate the air transport sector. This reduction in the demand set a side competition for the coming months, in which the airline will reduce its supply costs.
The aggregate income of the Spanish airline in 2009 could fall about 16%, to about 8350 million. The drop in turnover will affect all business segments. For the year 2010 is expected to be less negative behavior, with close to 1% decrease in passenger and cargo segments, and something of a worst area Aerotaxi.
Supply structure
In February 2009 there were 81 companies authorized to operate public transport by air of passengers, goods and / or mail. Of these, only 29 had a license type "A", ie, authorization for operation of air services with unlimited capacity, while the remaining 52 companies had licensed a Type "B", with limited capacity in the operation of their aircraft.
The financial difficulties arising from increased costs and falling demand have led to the closure of several companies in the past three years. The volume of employment generated by the industry also has a downward trend. In 2008 stood at 35,000 workers.
The sectoral structure of the bid shows a very high degree of concentration, especially in the passenger transportation segment. The three largest companies in terms of turnover in the sector, Iberia, Spanair and Air Europe in 2008, reached a close to 70% of business generated by Spanish companies.