Global airline capacity for March 2010 shows positive growth, when compared to the same month in both 2009 and 2008, reports OAG, the global leader in aviation intelligence, in its monthly report on trends in the supply of airline seats and flights.

Monthly analysis of the OAG schedule information indicates that the total number of seats available in March is increasing 5% over 2009. The total number of seats available in March 2010 is 303.1 million, compared to 289.8 million in 2009, and 299.6 million in 2008.

“March capacity is rebounding and 2010 exceeds not only that of a year ago, but of the same month in 2008, before the start of the global recession. This growth in worldwide capacity signals increased confidence in travel demand,” said Peter von Moltke, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Aviation.

Worldwide, airlines will operate 4% more flights in March 2010, as compared to March 2009. The total number of scheduled flights operating in March 2010 is 2.46 million.

The highest percentage change in seat capacity to/from a region is to and from Africa, with an increase in the number of seats by 19%, year-over-year. Other significant growth is occurring within Central and South America at 18% and within the Middle East with a 17% increase in seat capacity.

The total number of seats available, worldwide, on flights to and from Europe in March increases 4%, and the number of flights to and from Europe increases by 6% in March. In fact, the numbers of flights to and from Europe are the highest they have been in the last ten years.

The month-by-month trend since the start of the economic downturn can be seen in chart format below, or click here.

The total seat capacity on flights within Europe will increase by 2%, with an additional 1.27 million seats. Marginal growth within the continent is expected with the number of flights increasing less than 1%, or by 1,850 to a total of 549,718.

“March is generally a good mix of corporate and leisure traffic, and this year’s growth signals expected demand in both areas. Even in North America and Europe, where overall growth is lower than the other regions, some of the larger airports such as Berlin Schoenfield, London Gatwick, Fort Lauderdale and Baltimore Washington International, are showing increased capacity,” von Moltke continued.

The total seat capacity on flights to and from North America will grow 1% to 17.05 million in March. Flights to and from North America will increase by 2%, to a total of 88,293. This includes traffic to and from four of the largest U.S. airports, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Denver, where an increased number of flights can be expected in March. Frequency and capacity within North America, on the other hand, will experience a 2% decline throughout the month.

Figure 1: Global Seat Capacity

Figure 2: Global Flight Frequency

Analysis by Region

Africa

The number of seats and flights To/From Africa reflects an increase of 19% and 18%, respectively. As compared to March 2009, there will be an additional 1.10 million seats and 5,553 flights this month. Capacity from London to Africa will increase 14%; the number of flights by 17%. Within Africa, seat capacity will increase by 7% and flights by 6%.

Figure 3: Seat Capacity to/from Africa

Latin America

Figure 4: Flight Frequencies within Central & South America

The Middle East
The seat capacity and number of flights Within the Middle East are scheduled to rise by 17% and 16%, respectively. Total seat capacity offered is 6.46 million and flights scheduled to operate are 42,217. The number of seats and flights To/From the Middle East also reflects an increase of 11% each, with seat capacity of 10.64 million and frequency of 48,775 in March 2010. Capacity to/from Rome and the Middle East reflects an increase of 30%. The number of flights in that market will increase 29%.

Figure 5: Flight Frequencies within the Middle East

Europe
Capacity To/From Europe grew with 4% more seats, and a 6% increase in the number of flights Within Europe. The total number of available seats will increase 2% or by 1.27 million, compared to March 2009. Flight operations within Europe have increased by 1,850 flights to 549,718, a marginal increase of less than 1%.

Asia
The number of offered seats and flights To/From Asia Pacific reflects an increase of 5% each, and traffic growth Within Asia/Pacific is even more substantial. Within Asia/Pacific there will be 7.27 million more seats and 51,807 more flights than in March 2009, resulting in an increase of 9% in seat offerings, and 10% in flight operations.

Figure 6 : Global Low Cost Carrier Seat Capacity

North America

Continuing the trend from February 2010, the only region that shows a decline again this month is travel Within North America. Capacity and frequency were reduced by 2%; whereas flights To/From North America will offer 1% more seats, and the number of flights will increase by 2%. The total number of seats available is 17.05 million, and 88,293 flights will operate To/From North America.

AIRPORT CAPACITY and FREQUENCY
Noteworthy changes in major airport frequency and capacity in March include:

Beijing (PEK) increased capacity and frequency by 8%, adding 559,327 seats and 3,047 flights

Frankfurt (FRA) grew 2% in seat capacity adding 138,843; and an additional 2% in flights

Atlanta Hartsfield (ATL) lost 1% or 78,141 seats; 2,169 or 3% of flights

Tokyo Haneda (HND) lost 333,939 seats, or 4%; and 806 flights, or 3%

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) lost 317,776 seats or 5%; and 2,918 flights or 7%

ROUTE FREQUENCY
Noteworthy changes in route frequency in March include:

Western Europe to The Middle East – increasing to 14,659 from 13,533, year-over-year, or 8%

Western Europe to Africa – increasing 19% in March to 24,402, from 20,445

Milan to US/Canada - declined with 240 scheduled in March 2010, down from 311 in 2009, marking a 23% reduction in flights. In 2008, there were 541 flights from Milan to US/Canada

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OAG FACTS enables you to see trends at-a-glance. An easy to use tool providing the latest data on current airline activity around the world. Updated monthly, it uses interactive graphs to display a visual trend of the performance of a specific airport, route, country or region from 2001 - 2010.