Asia-Pacific 2014 outlook: faster growth for low-cost airlines as LCC fleet reaches 1,000 aircraft

Low-cost carriers in the Asia-Pacific region enter 2014 operating a combined fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft. With over 1,500 orders in place, 1,000 aircraft is just the tip of the iceberg for Asia's booming LCC sector.

2014 will see a record level of start-up activity as about 10 LCCs are launched, bringing the total number of LCCs operating in Asia-Pacific to nearly 60. Most of the region's 47 existing LCCs are also planning more rapid growth for 2014. Most added capacity at a double-digit clip in 2013 and are not about to slow down as competition intensifies.

There will be no turning back as the momentum that LCCs have steadily built up in Asia over the last decade continues to gain steam. LCCs now account for only 15% of the region's fleet and slightly over 20% of seat capacity but approximately 50% of orders. Ten years ago LCCs accounted for only about 2% of total capacity in Asia-Pacific.