In Bordeaux, we've finished 2021 better than initially planned despite the last minute uninvited Omicron wave. We have welcomed over 3.1 million passengers which is a 35% increase vs. 2021. This corresponds to 40% of 2019 traffic which is in line with the average recovery for French airports.
These numbers are very encouraging and actually really good as we need to keep in mind that we've lost our 3rd largest route (BOD ORY with 600 000 pax / year) in 2020 based on governmental decisions. The resilience of our traffic can be explained by several factors: the strong come back of our based low-cost carriers (EZY, RYR & VOE), the return of major hub carriers (AF, KL, LH, LX, SN, IB, BA etc.), the launch of 15 new routes (Ryanair on Morocco, Corsica & Spain, Air Arabia on CMN, Brussels on BRU, Royal Air Maroc on FEZ, Volotea on LIL & ALG, Vueling on AGP etc.) and the arrival of a new carrier too (Corsair to Guadeloupe / French Indies) for the Winter season.
Despite a slower start of the year caused by the virus, we're very confident about our 2022 traffic. Current forecast looks very promising with some good news ahead: New services to GNB with easyJet, ZAD & MLA with Ryanair, OTP with BlueAir, ATH with Volotea have already been announced. We'll also welcome back Norwegian on OSL, Air Transat on YUL and Turkish Airlines on IST from S22 so we're in a very good and positive dynamic. We still have other projects "in the pipeline" too so we're excited about this year.
