Regular passenger flights market reached 110m euros in the first few months of this year, up 20% on the same period last year and therefore boasting one of the fastest growth rates in the world, according to the IATA (International Air Transportation Association) Romania.

"I can already see that last year's growth rate maintain. According to IATA statistical data, the Romanian air transport market is expected to witness the fastest growth rate in Europe in 2007, therefore placing the market within the top six fastest growing markets in the world. Generally, we expect the growth rate to remain unchanged till the end of the year," said Anca Apahidean, country manager for Romania and Moldova at IATA.

This year, forecasts for air ticket sales are expected to exceed 360m euros. In comparison, 305m euros worth of tickets were sold through the BSP system last year.

As a result of the rapid growth rate, the value of sales has increased by over 20% in the past year, with the same growth rate being expected in 2007. At the same time, the IATA is projecting that the number of passengers will advance by 8.4% reaching over 3.8 million, a figure excluding low-cost airlines.

According to IATA data, in the first three months of this year the volume of international air traffic rose by 7% on the same period last year, with the volume expected to increase by a further 5.5% in the whole of 2007.

The IATA tracks ticket sales through the BSP (Billing Settlement Plan) system, which facilitates the sale, registration and payment of air tickets by IATA agents. More than 80% of air ticket sales are operated through IATA licensed travel agents via the BSP system.

In April, 70% of the overall number of domestic tickets issued were e-tickets, while the percentage stood at 47% at the end of January. IATA wants all paper tickets to be replaced by e-tickets by t