Europe aviation: capacity outlook plateaus, but forward bookings fall

Europe's seat capacity recovery as a percentage of 2019 levels remains in the narrow range of 86%-87% that it has occupied almost every week since late May-2022.

Seat numbers in Europe are at 86.4% in the week commencing 3-Oct-2022, which is a shortfall of 13.6% against the equivalent week in 2019.

Europe remains fifth in the regional ranking, above Asia Pacific, where capacity is down by 28.7% versus 2019, but below the Middle East, where capacity is down by 12.9%. North America capacity is down by 7.6%, Africa by 6.9%, and Latin America is down by 2.0%.

Projections derived from schedules for Europe in 4Q2022 are at 87%, which is the same as was achieved in 3Q2022 after six successive quarters of an improving trend.

Moreover, as economic concerns grow, IATA data indicate that forward bookings for 4Q are lower than for 3Q at the equivalent stage.