4 July 2005

Inter-regional And Low Cost Traffic Drives European Airline Growth

This month the world's airlines have provided more than 20.6 million tickets for sale on flights to and from Europe , seven per cent more than in July last year. The increase in seat capacity within Europe is up by more than 3.8 million to 63.5 million seats, representing a six per cent increase.

There will be over 1,700 additional transatlantic flights versus July 2004. Flights between Western Europe & Asia Pacific are up by more than 1000 and by 700 between Western Europe and the Middle East . Over 1,600 more flights will be provided year on year between Western Europe and Africa , representing nearly 400,000 additional seats and a 10% growth in flights.

Europe's low cost sector continues to roar ahead with a 24% percent increase in seats. There are an additional 2.5 million low cost seats this month on flights within Europe compared to July 2004. Over two thirds of the year on year growth in Europe 's airline capacity has been fuelled by the low cost sector.

The statistics are provided in OAG's latest Quarterly Airline Traffic Statistics, a quarterly snapshot of airline activity around the world. OAG collates data from more than 1000 scheduled airlines, on a daily basis, to give an overview of anticipated travel demand versus historical trends.

In total, the world's airlines plan to operate 2.4 million flights this month, four per cent more than in July 2004, equating to nearly 282 million seats, a five per cent increase.

"Europe continues to make a strong contribution to overall worldwide aviation growth" says Duncan Alexander, managing director OAG Business Development, "intercontinental flights and the low cost sector in certain markets underpin this encouraging trend".

Of the major national markets in Europe , the UK is the only one where domestic seat capacity has grown at a faster rate (up 11 per cent against July 2004) than international capacity (up nine per cent). Almost one in three flights in the UK are now provided by low cost operators.

In Spain , international seat capacity is up 13 per cent against a domestic increase of 11 per cent. Almost 30 per cent of flights to and from Spain are now provided by low cost carriers.

International seat capacity to and from France is up 3 per cent. Overall domestic capacity rose only 1 per cent primarily as a result of a 19 per cent decline in low cost seat capacity.

Low cost flights to and from Germany have increased by 20 per cent since July 2004 which represents an additional four hundred and thirty thousand seats. Overall the German domestic market has declined by 3 per cent despite a 7 per cent increase in low cost flights.

For more detailed OAG statistical analysis on capacity trends please call Margareta Stanley at DBA on +44 207 930 8033 or email info@nchl.demon.co.uk