Global airline seat capacity up 6.4% in Feb-2012, LCC seat capacity up 18%: OAG

OAG reports (06-Feb-2012) global airline capacity and frequency will rise 6.4% and 5.2% year-on-year, respectively, in Feb-2012. Details include:

• Global: +6.4% capacity, +5.2% scheduled services year-on-year;
  • To/from Asia Pacific: +10.7%, +12.1%;
  • To/from Europe: +4.6%, +4.1%;
  • To/from Middle East: +13.3%, +13.3%;
  • To/from North America: +6.0%, +8.5%;
  • To/from Central and South America: +9.2%, +10.8%;
  • To/from Africa: -2.3%, -2.6%. [more – original PR]

Global low cost scheduled capacity again increased 18% year-on-year compared to 13% in January. Low cost now accounts for 26% of global air capacity compared to 11% in 2003. The highest regional growth in terms of available seats is to/from North America (50%) followed by to/from Central and South America and within Asia Pacific (both 47%). Low cost within Asia Pacific now accounts for 25% of the regional volume.

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