Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
Vueling has announced that it carried 8.2 million passengers during 2009, with an average seat-load factor of 73.7%, a 3.4 percentage point (pp) increase over 2008’s figure.
In December 2009, the airline – whose figures are affected by its merger with clickair in July 2009 – generated 758,00 revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), up by 89.9% on December 2008’s 399,000. Available seat kilometres (ASKs) were up 96.0% at 1,102,000 from 562,000 in the same month a year earlier.
This created a 2.2 percentage point fall in load factor to 68.8% in December 2009 from 71.0% in December 2008. Total passengers carried during the month was 817,107, a 95.9% increase on December 2008’s 417,013.
For the whole of 2009, the carrier recorded 7,500,000 RPKs, 34.3% up on 2008’s 5,583,000, while ASKs increased by 28.1% to 10,181,000 from 7,945,000 in 2008.
As stated, the resultant load factor for 2009 was 73.7%, 3.4 pp up on 2008’s figure of 70.3% with the airline carrying 8,198,656 compared to 5,886,160 in 2008, up 39.3%.
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
Speaking before a committee on European affairs, the speakers addressed recent developments following an eventful few days. During this period, the UK pushed for increased support for Ukraine, while the EU eased budget constraints to allow for greater defence spending. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump introduced tariffs that could impact the defence industry.
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.