Almost one year ago, I published a post about safety level of low-cost airlines. One of the factors I mentioned by that time was pressure from media, including the blogosphere.

The series of incidents that involved Ryanair recently is a perfect illustration. I don’t try to minimize or justify them, but I must say that I never heard such a buzz after a wing-tip hit a building !

I’ve always been a fan of EasyJet, particularly as they offered many connections out of Geneva. It happened that flights were delayed, just as with other airlines. I never ever saw a TV report when a Swissair flight was delayed, but any unusual EasyJet delay was reported on swiss TV.

One one hand, many persons are attached to the previously national airlines. Even after privatization, it remains a strong feeling, so they naturally “hate” all concurrents, making any issue a big opportunity for hot reports.

But is that the only reason why media focus much more on low-cost than on traditional airlines ? All low-cost airlines have rather aggressive communication strategies, and use medias quite well for their promotion.

The Ryanair calendar was a perfect example of how low-cost airlines attract media attention and use them. The image they carry is different from classical airlines, and media reaction is always stronger, kind of “we told us…”.

Because of this love – hate relationship, it’s rather improbable that a low-cost airline would survive a major accident. Does that make them safer ?

Links to the Ryanair incidents
Carcassone – 17th of May 2008
Lodz – 1st of May 2008
Limoges – 21st of March 2008