Budget airlines Ryanair Holdings PLC and Wizz Air Holdings PLC on Wednesday both said passenger traffic increased in December compared to a year before, despite flight cancellations to Israel amid the ongoing conflict.

Dublin-based Ryanair said that it carried 12.5 million passengers in December 2023, up 8.7% from 11.5 million in the corresponding month last year. Its load factor fell by one point to 91% from 92% the year before.

On a rolling 12-month basis to December, Ryanair said it carried 181.8 million passengers, up 13% from 160.4 million the previous year. The load factor improved to 94% from 92%.

Ryanair added that it operated 72,500 flights in Dececember, but noted that over 900 flights were cancelled due to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Meanwhile, Budapest-based Wizz Air said it carried 5.0 million passengers, up 19% from 4.2 million the year prior. Capacity for the month was 22% higher at 6.0 million seats, compared to 4.9 million seats in December 2022.

Its load factor was lowered year-on-year to 82.1% from 84.5%.

Wizz Air’s carbon dioxide emissions in December grew 23% to 500,027 tonnes from 405,591 last year.

Last month, the Hungarian airline said that it had decided to suspend operations in Israel until early January.

Shares in Wizz Air were trading 0.1% lower at 2,194.00 pence each in London on Wednesday morning, while Ryanair shares were up down 0.2% at €18.50 each in Dublin.

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