Loading

Russia, Turkey and Sweden the hottest destinations for European travellers this Summer. Egypt down

Analysis

Russia, Turkey and Sweden are among the fastest growing major destinations for European travellers this summer, latest analysis from CAPA shows. According to Innovata schedule data for Apr-2011 - the first month of the summer scheduling season - Russia and Turkey will enjoy near 20% increases in passenger capacity from other European countries next month.

Estonia, Albania and Ukraine are the fastest growing destinations for European-origin flights, but these are relatively small markets.

China is the fourth fastest growing destination for European-origin flights, with a 23.2% year-on-year increase in capacity next month, followed by Saudi Arabia and Lebanon in the Middle East. Sweden is also a surprisingly strong destination for travel from other European countries next month, with a 16.6% increase in capacity planned by airlines.

In total, 23 countries will enjoy double-digit increases in capacity from European countries next month.

Hottest destinations for European travellers (Growth in seats per week): Apr-2010 vs Apr-2011

Destination Region Apr-2010 Apr-2011 % Change
Estonia Europe 18,832 24,826 31.8%
Albania Europe 20,285 25,860 27.5%
Ukraine Europe 68,968 85,080 23.4%
China Asia Pacific 84,218 103,768 23.2%
Saudi Arabia Middle East 27,654 33,695 21.8%
Lebanon Middle East 23,312 28,363 21.7%
Russia Europe 187,682 224,901 19.8%
Turkey Europe 274,340 327,962 19.5%
Armenia Europe 18,423 21,758 18.1%
Kazakhstan Europe 19,616 23,160 18.1%
Sweden Europe 238,535 278,103 16.6%
Qatar Middle East 47,559 55,336 16.4%
Jordan Middle East 19,312 22,218 15.0%
Serbia Europe 47,925 55,023 14.8%
Israel Middle East 95,722 109,726 14.6%
Finland Europe 137,461 157,253 14.4%
Latvia Europe 58,841 67,185 14.2%
Hong Kong Asia Pacific 47,611 53,848 13.1%
Thailand Asia Pacific 68,680 77,385 12.7%
Brazil Latin America 61,819 69,616 12.6%
South Korea Asia Pacific 30,398 34,014 11.9%
Uzbekistan Europe 23,300 26,014 11.6%
Bulgaria Europe 43,430 48,122 10.8%

Important Notes:

  • The April data presented here is not be affected by either the timing of Easter or the ash cloud in Apr-2010. The weekly data is based on a representative week that avoids major holidays. The weeks in question are 12-18-Apr-2010 and 11-17-Apr-2011. The Ash cloud was generally treated by the airlines on an ad hoc basis and schedule changes did not filter through to the data presented here;
  • Note: CAPA offers a wide range of tools for route planners, including detailed schedule analysis for over 3,000 airports worldwide. Click here for an example of the data on Estonia's gateway, Tallinn Airport - and browse to the Schedule Analysis tab.)

Russia and Turkey seeing broad-based gains

Growth in capacity to Russia is being stimulated by spectacular increases from Latvia, Belarus and Ukraine, while Germany (Russia's biggest European source market by seating capacity) is also growing strongly (+14.8% year-on-year). Capacity from Turkey, Austria, France and Italy is also up by double-digits on the same month last year.

Turkey's rise is being driven by big increases in capacity from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Austria, while capacity from Germany (also Turkey's biggest market) is surging by 33%. Other big markets, including the UK (+9.7%), Russia (+22.6%), Switzerland (+17%) and Italy (+29.8%) are also growing strongly, though Cyprus is weaker (-13.1%).

These gains can be partly explained by the diversion of capacity away from other traditional destinations for European travellers, namely Egypt and Tunisia.

Egypt and Tunisia struggle

Civil unrest in Egypt and Tunisia in recent months has had a dramatic impact on airline capacity decisions from European countries - traditionally strong source markets for the tourism-dependent Egyptian and Tunisian economies. Capacity to Egypt and Tunisia from Europe will fall 16.1% and 7.1%, respectively, dropping both countries down the rankings. Capacity to Cyprus, Poland and Romania from other European countries is also weak next month.

Weakest destinations for European travellers (Growth in seats per week): Apr-2010 vs Apr-2011

Destination Region Apr-2010 Apr-2011 % Change Rank
Apr-2010
Rank
Apr-2011
Change
Egypt Africa 109,414 91,787 -16.1% 25 30 -5
Tunisia Europe 67,997 63,164 -7.1% 34 37 -3
Dominican Republic Latin America 25,764 24,339 -5.5% 52 56 -4
Cyprus Europe 98,502 96,249 -2.3% 27 28 -1
Poland Europe 214,118 209,439 -2.2% 17 18 -1
Romania Europe 122,683 120,149 -2.1% 24 24 -
Croatia Europe 45,533 44,682 -1.9% 43 44 -1
Algeria Africa 60,758 59,829 -1.5% 37 38 -1
Iran Middle East 22,706 22,715 0.0% 56 60 -4
Nigeria Africa 22,801 23,009 0.9% 55 58 -3
Lithuania Europe 28,556 29,053 1.7% 48 49 -1
Austria Europe 279,155 285,563 2.3% 9 10 -1
France Europe 767,045 789,289 2.9% 5 5 -
Italy Europe 892,594 918,643 2.9% 4 4 -
Czech Republic Europe 139,671 144,122 3.2% 22 23 -1

Slow growth to France, Italy - Canary Islands arrivals soar

Italy and France will experience slow growth, but maintain their rankings as the fourth and fifth biggest destinations for European-origin flights. The UK tops this ranking, followed by Germany and Spain. Of Europe's 'Big Three', Spain is the best performer, with an expected 9.8% increase in capacity from other European countries next month.

Much of the growth is being driven by resort areas in Spain, which have seen significant gains as rival resorts in Egypt and Tunisia struggle to attract visitors. Official data shows visitor arrivals at Spain's Canary Islands soared 18.5% year-on-year in Feb-2011 to just over 900,000, bringing the two-month total to 1.8 million, up 13.5%. Total visitors to Spain rose 4.5% in the first two months of 2011, to 5.5 million.

Biggest destinations for European travellers (seats per week): Apr-2010 vs Apr-2011

Destination Region Apr-2010 Apr-2011 % Change Rank
Apr-2010
Rank
Apr-2011
Change
United Kingdom Europe 1,497,918 1,568,551 4.7% 1 1 -
Germany Europe 1,428,598 1,485,779 4.0% 2 2 -
Spain Europe 1,163,171 1,276,871 9.8% 3 3 -
Italy Europe 892,594 918,643 2.9% 4 4 -
France Europe 767,045 789,289 2.9% 5 5 -
United States North America 729,934 780,069 6.9% 6 6 -
Switzerland Europe 421,642 455,138 7.9% 7 7 -
Netherlands Europe 413,156 453,392 9.7% 8 8 -
Turkey Europe 274,340 327,962 19.5% 10 9 +1
Austria Europe 279,155 285,563 2.3% 9 10 -1
Sweden Europe 238,535 278,103 16.6% 15 11 +4
Ireland Europe 265,735 275,039 3.5% 11 12 -1
Denmark Europe 262,996 274,936 4.5% 12 13 -1
Portugal Europe 240,136 259,928 8.2% 14 14 -
Belgium Europe 241,080 254,824 5.7% 13 15 -2
Norway Europe 220,464 237,634 7.8% 16 16 -
Russia Europe 187,682 224,901 19.8% 18 17 +1
Poland Europe 214,118 209,439 -2.2% 17 18 -1
UAE Middle East 160,584 175,448 9.3% 19 19 -
Greece Europe 155,070 164,691 6.2% 20 20 -

Turkey outshines Greece

Turkey's rise has seen it take ninth spot from Austria, while slower growth in Ireland and Denmark have seen them slip down the rankings, leapfrogged by Sweden. Belgium and Poland have also fallen, while Russia gained a place to 17th largest. Greece, which is hoping for a tourism revival to help solve its economic woes, is showing a 6.2% increase in capacity next month - just one percentage point above the regional average, and not enough to move it up the rankings.

See related reports:

Want More Analysis Like This?

CAPA Membership provides access to all news and analysis on the site, along with access to many areas of our comprehensive databases and toolsets.
Find Out More