Asia leads the world in aviation growth

CHICAGO, Ill. – Published seat capacity figures for July on flights within the Asia Pacific region will reach 99,044,360, according to the latest statistics from OAG, a UBM Aviation brand.

CHICAGO, Ill. – Published seat capacity figures for July on flights within the Asia Pacific region will reach 99,044,360, according to the latest statistics from OAG, a UBM Aviation brand. The OAG FACTS (Frequency and Capacity Trend Statistics) report for July reveals a 6% rise in capacity year on year with an additional 5.5 million seats and an 11% increase in the number of flights operating within the region. For comparison, capacity within the intra Europe and intra North America regions are 82.8 million and 81.8 million seats respectively. Asia Pacific is also outperforming on frequencies and seat capacity to and from the region, with 11% more flights and 9% more seats than in July 2010.

Globally, the world’s airlines have scheduled 2.76 million flights this month with a total capacity of 351.4 million seats, representing increases of 3% and 5% respectively on July 2010 figures, the same percentage increases as last month. Increases in aircraft size continue to be a key driver of seat capacity growth and the average number of seats per flight is now 127 compared to 125 this time last year.

Domestic capacity in China grew by 5% year on year and maintains its status as the number two domestic market in the world (behind the United States) and some way ahead of Brazil in third. China’s international capacity has seen an even sharper increase with an additional 1.1 million seats compared to July 2010. Delhi continues to be the fastest growing hub in the Asia Pacific region with frequencies up 20% and available seats increasing by 22% with Hanoi one stop below on the global table. Year on year Hanoi has seen frequencies increase by 28% and capacity by 21% to 1.33 million seats. A significant proportion of this capacity has come from Qatar Airways’ four times a week Doha to Hanoi service which operates via Bangkok.

“This steady growth, led largely by Asia, is encouraging for global trade and tourism which depends heavily on a buoyant aviation industry,” said Peter von Moltke, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Aviation. “The Northern hemisphere is entering the busy summer holiday period and any nervousness about some Eurozone countries doesn’t appear to be affecting airline expectations of passenger demand. Low cost and traditional carriers alike have scheduled around 5% more European capacity this month.”

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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