Asia-Pacific, Europe Both Show More Growth In Airline Seat
Capacity
Aviation analyst OAG reports in the
August 2010 edition of OAG FACTS that scheduled airline seat
capacity grew within North America for the first time since 2007.
Seat capacity for the month increased 1% over August 2009, to a
total of 79.9 million seats available within North America.
Frequency also increased 1% for a total of 885,078 scheduled
flights. Seat capacity to and from North America has been slightly
stronger, growing 4% to 19.1 million in August.
Throughout the region, though, growth remains flat in major
markets including Dallas Fort Worth and Las Vegas McCarran with
seat capacity remaining unchanged (0%). Atlanta and San Francisco
both experienced a 1% increase in seat capacity. Miami, however,
was an exception growing 5% over the same period a year ago.
"North America, the most mature aviation market and until
recently the largest, trails all other regions in seat capacity
growth. This region is now the third largest aviation market in the
world, with combined domestic and international capacity of 99
million seats, falling behind Asia Pacific with 109.6 million
seats, and Europe with 105.5 million," said Peter von Moltke, Chief
Executive Officer, UBM Aviation, parent company of OAG.
Hong Kong Approach
OAG reports that growth is strongest again this month for the
Asia Pacific region, which has led air travel growth throughout the
decade. August 2010 seat growth in the Asia Pacific region will be
10% above last year, 18% above 2007 and 74% above 2001. China
(including Hong Kong and Macau) continues to lead the region with
growth of a phenomenal 175% since 2001, almost tripling seat
capacity as the Chinese economy grew to second largest in the
world. August seat capacity growth was strong in markets throughout
Asia again this month including Shanghai (14%), Beijing (8%), and
Hong Kong (7%).
Europe continues to grow on both the domestic and international
fronts. Capacity within Europe will rise 7% to a total of 78.9
million seats, on an increase in flights of 5% with more than 600
thousand flights added during the month of August. The number of
seats scheduled to and from Europe will increase 7% to 26.6
million, and flights scheduled will increase 8% to a total of
118,433. Markets within Europe with notable capacity growth were
Rome, (9%), Frankfurt (6%) and Amsterdam (6%).
Worldwide, seat capacity and frequency are scheduled to grow by
7% and 6%, respectively. Total seat capacity will increase to 335.5
million, and frequency to a total 2.7 million flights.