Global Growth Rate of Flights Continues to Slow
LONDON, July 24 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
- Volume of global airline schedules climbs just 1% for July
- Double digit growth for low cost sector
- Drop in US domestic operations is countered by growth within Europe and
Asia
The world's airlines are scheduled to operate just 1% more flights for July 2008 compared with
the same month last year. According to the latest statistics from OAG (Official Airline Guide),
the world's authority on flight information, this represents an additional 34,800 flights. Capacity
for July is up by 3% year on year.
The total number of flights scheduled to operate worldwide this month is 2.64 million, offering
318.3 million seats to travelers around the globe. Within this global figure of all scheduled
passenger flight operations, the low cost sector accounts for 459,000 flights (17%) and 68.3
million seats (21%). Frequencies and capacity in the low cost sector are both showing 13%
growth for July 2008 vs July 2007.
Within the United States, domestic activity has dropped 2% overall, or 21,500 fewer flights this
month, resulting in 818,000 fewer seats. This is despite increases in low cost frequencies and
capacity within the US of 4% and 3% respectively.
Figures for Europe and Asia Pacific indicate these regions are faring better at present, with
intra-Europe and intra-Asia Pacific figures both showing a 3% increase in the number of flights
(up by 18,268 and 15,975 respectively) and a 4% rise in capacity of 3.03 million and 3.07 million
more seats year on year.
Steve Casley, Chief Operating Officer, OAG, commented:
"The OAG figures for July reveal signs of an impending downturn in the aviation industry. While
some regions continue to show steady growth, the impact from the current climate in the United
States is already contributing to an overall slowdown in the global figures and on the key long-
haul routes between North America and hubs in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The
full impact will be clearer when we publish our forecast for the 4th quarter."
The figures are revealed in the latest OAG Aviation Statistics, a regular snapshot of airline
activity around the world. Flight information and data solutions company OAG collates data
from more than 900 scheduled airlines, on a daily basis, which gives an accurate overview of
anticipated travel demand.
The transatlantic route, traditionally one of strong growth, is showing just 1% increase in flights
and 2% in capacity for July. Similarly, there is just 1% rise in the number of transpacific flights
and seats. Flights between Western Europe and the Middle East, however, are up by 11%, and
there is a rise of 6% for flights between Western Europe and Asia Pacific.
India continues to show year-on-year growth far exceeding the average. For this month, there is
a 34% increase in flights to and from India (4,545 extra flights representing 870,000 more seats)
and a 12% rise in domestic operations (5,341 flights, 576,000 seats). The Middle East is
showing a 20% growth in international operations (7,248 flights and 1.4 million seats), but
a drop of -4% on routes within the region.
Other territories showing a notably significant increase in year-on-year capacity are the Russian
Federation (621,000 more domestic seats, 558,000 more international seats); France, with
428,000 more international seats, of which 84% is in the low cost sector; UAE with 694,000
more international seats, largely driven by continued growth of Emirates and Etihad; Canada,
with 321,000 more domestic seats, largely attributable to WestJet and Porter; and Poland, with
492,000 more international seats, of which around half are in the low cost sector.
Aircraft fleet data from OAG reveals there are 40,197 planes operating worldwide this month
compared to 38,886 the same time last year, an increase of 3.4%. North America accounts for
36% of the global market, followed by Europe with 27%. Globally, there are more than 8,100
aircraft on order this month, a rise of just under 20% compared to this time last year. North
America is the only region showing a decline year on year, with 0.6% fewer aircraft on order
compared with July 2007. Asia Pacific accounts for the largest share of new orders (33%) and
the Middle East is showing the largest year on year percentage increase at 74.3% (347 more
aircraft on order than a year ago).
OAG publishes a monthly quick reference tool, OAG FACTS (Frequency & Capacity Trend
Statistics) which uses interactive graphs to give an overview of the performance of a specific
airport, route, country or region from 2001 onwards. For more information, a product demo and
customers@oag.com.
About OAG (Official Airline Guide)
passenger aviation, air cargo logistics and business travel markets. It brings together buyers
and sellers of air travel and transport through the management and distribution of airline product
information; the supply of corporate travel planning tools; and the promotion of travel and
transport products. The business is underpinned by its data management expertise. It is best
known for its airline schedules database which feeds the world's global distribution systems and
travel portals and drives the internal systems of many airlines, air traffic control systems,
aircraft manufacturers, airport planners and government agencies.
owned subsidiary of United Business Media Limited
SOURCE Official Airline Guide
Notes to Editors: 1. July data on specific countries and key routes and hubs worldwide is
available from OAG on request. 2. In light of the growing number of airline announcements on
future capacity cuts, OAG will shortly be publishing its forecast for the 4th quarter 2008 with
analytical comment and a 10-year view tracking Q4 capacity back to 1999. Journalists wishing
to receive this by email as soon as it is available please contact Alison Pickering, Head of
Corporate Communications at OAG, at apickering@oag.com or
call +44-1582-695477
CONTACT: Alison Pickering, Head of Corporate Communications at OAG,
+44-1582-695477,
apickering@oag.com
(UBM.L)
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