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Global Growth Rate of Flights Continues to Slow

Written by thomas · Filed Under Commercial 

July 24, 2008

thomas

– 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

LONDON, July 24 /PRNewswire/ — 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 subscription
details, please visit http://www.oagaviation.com/reports.html or email
customers@oag.com.

About OAG (Official Airline Guide)

OAG (http://www.oagcorporate.com) is a global flight information and data
solutions company for the 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.

OAG is part of Commonwealth Business Media (http://www.cbizmedia.com) a wholly
owned subsidiary of United Business Media Limited
(http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com).

SOURCE Official Airline Guide

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