The rise of low-cost carriers in Europe already left its mark on the European airline industry. Because of the success of its model, low-cost carriers extend their networks and continue growing, while competition with other carriers keeps increasing. In the near future low-cost carriers will probably merge with other carriers or participate in alliances, trying to survive in this clashing of carriers.
Before 2000 there where only a couple of low-cost carriers in Europe, today there are almost 60 low-cost carriers, with a total market share of 19% (Williams, 2001). It is estimated only a few low-cost carriers will survive in 2010 with a market share of at least 33% (Airline Business, 2005). In any case Ryanair and EasyJet will belong to the surviving few (Binggeli, 2005), but who will belong to the remaining few is still uncertain.
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