Global airline seat capacity and frequency will both experience solid growth in May, over the same month a year ago. May seat capacity will grow 6%, and the total number of flights will increase 5%, over the same month last year, reports OAG, (www.oagaviation.com), the global leader in aviation intelligence, in its monthly report on trends in the supply of airline seats and flights.
The total number of airline seats available, worldwide, is 317.5 million in May, 2010, compared to 298.6 million, the same month in 2009. The total number of scheduled flights increased 5%, to 2.6 million from 2.4 million a year earlier.
"The strengthening of the global economy is reflected in May’s scheduling data, which show a healthy increase in the number of airline seats and flights around the world," said Peter von Moltke, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Aviation. "Indications are that despite the astonishing volcanic ash disruptions to the air transportation system, this month’s scheduled seat capacity and frequency are normal and continue the growing trend the industry has been experiencing for the past nine months."
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Air traffic to and from all regions of the world show increases in May, with strong growth in seat capacity expected to and from Asia Pacific, with an increase of 9% to a total of 14.3 million seats; to and from the Middle East, increasing by 11%, to 11 million; and to and from Africa, increasing 16%, to 7.2 million seats.
Seat capacity growth was steady to and from all other regions; increasing 7% to and from Europe to a total of 23.6 million; Central and South America by 3% to 9.1 million; and North America by 2% to 17.5 million seats.
Flights increased to and from, and within all regions except North America, which, again this month, saw a slight decline within the region. Within North America, the number of flights declined 1% to a total of 837,944; in 2009 there were 842,986. Flights to and from North America increased 2% to a total of 86,797.
Flights to and from Europe increased 8%, growing to 104,144 flights in May 2010, compared to 96,226 in 2009. Total flights to and from Asia Pacific grew 10% to 58,397 from 53,299; flights to and from Africa increased 17% to 37,349; to and from the Middle East by 11% to 50,686; and in Central and South America by 3% to 56,547.
This data comes from the May 2010 edition of OAG FACTS (Frequency And Capacity Trend Statistics), a monthly report that uses interactive graphs to display performance trends of specific airports, routes, countries or regions, sourced from OAG’s consolidated database of global airline schedules. A more detailed review of this month’s OAG FACTS statistics – including information about specific regions, routes and airports with illustrative charts and graphs – is available to download at: download here
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Europe
- Seat capacity Within Europe increases 6% to 75.2 million; and flight operations increase 4% to 602,274 in May, compared to same month last year.
- Traffic To/From Europe shows considerable growth with an increase of 7% in number of seats to 23.6 million; and a total of 104,144 flights, an increase of 8%.
Figure 1: Flights to/from Europe
Africa
- Traffic Within Africa grew steadily with an increase of 8% in seat capacity to 6.4 million; and a 7% increase in flight operations to a total of 62,531.
- The total number of seats To/From Africa increased 16% to 7.2 million; flights increased by 17% to 37,349.
Figure 2:Seats to/from Africa
North America
- Traffic Within North America experienced a small decline of less than 1% in both seat capacity and frequency. The number of the number of seats in May is 76.2 million; with 837,944 flights.
- Traffic To/From North America, however, grew with both capacity and frequency increasing by 2%. The total seat capacity is 17.5 million; the total number of flights that will operate To/From North America is 86,797.
Figure 3: Seats within North America
Central and South America
- Within Central & South America a 15% increase in seat capacity will bring the total number of seats to 21.7 million; a total of 210,232 flights are scheduled, or a 13% increase over May 2009.
- Traffic To/From Central & South America has increased by 3% in seat capacity and frequency with a total of 9.1 million seats and 56,547 flights.
Figure 4: Flights within Central & South America
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Asia Pacific
- Within Asia/Pacific there will be a 10% increase in seat capacity to 89.8 million; and increase of 11% in flight operations to 596,608.
- The number seats To/From Asia Pacific increases 9% to 14.3 million; the total number of flights increases 10% to a total of 58,397 in May.
Figure 5: Flights to/from Asia Pacific
The Middle East
- Seat capacity and the total number of flights Within the Middle East is scheduled to rise by 15% and 14% respectively. Scheduled seat capacity Within the Middle East is 6.8 million, and total number of flights rose to 44,591.
- The number of seats and flights To/From the Middle East both increase 11% in May, with just over 11 million seats and 50,686 flights.
Figure 6: Seats within the Middle East
Routes and Airport Capacity & Frequency
Noteworthy changes in major routes and airport capacity and frequency in May include:
In terms of seat capacity, traffic in the Middle East is strong to and from most cities:
- 28% increase to Rome
- 15% increase to Amsterdam
- 14% increase to Paris
- 20% decrease to Madrid
Traffic to/from the USA and Canada is experiencing the following changes (in seat capacity):
- 19% increase from Shanghai
- 16% increase from Beijing
- 12% increase from Sydney
- 35% decrease from Singapore
A close look at airports shows significant changes in the following:
- Melbourne (MEL) grew to 2.8 million seats or 12%, and to 16,505 flights, an increase of 9%.
- Shanghai (PVG) grew 12% in seat capacity to 4.4 million and by 14% to a total of 24,014 flights.
- Delhi (DEL) grew 9% in seat capacity and 13% in the number of flights to 3.5 million and 21,039, respectively.
- Johannesburg (JNB) grew 9% to 2.3 million seats, and 5% in flights to 16,226.
- Sydney (SYD) grew 9% in both seat capacity and flights to 3.8 million and 24,044, respectively.
- Beijing (PEK) grew 7% in both seat capacity and frequency to just over 8 million seats, and a total of 43,083 flights.
- Charlotte (CLT) grew 6% in the number of seats to just over 4 million, and 3% in flights to a total of 40,982.
- Two of the three airports servicing New York City dropped in seat capacity by 4%, Newark (EWR) to 3.6 million seats, and New York (JFK) to just over 5 million seats. New York LaGuardia (LGA) increased in seat capacity by 5% to a total of 2.9 million.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) lost 3% in seat capacity falling to 6.4 million, and 5% in the total number of flights to 39,497.
- Minneapolis (MSP) lost 7% in seat capacity declining to 3.3 million, and a 4% decline in total number of flights to 32,465.
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