Worldwide capacity and flights increase in Nov-2010; 'within Asia' market largest by seat capacity
Worldwide seat capacity has increased 6% to 301.6 million seats and frequency increased 4% to 2.4 million flights during Nov-2010 according to OAG's Nov-2010 Schedules Database. The growth in the month means that there are an additional 16.2 million seats in Nov-2010 with an additional 100,595 flights with capacity growth occurring in all regions of the world.
OAG capacity and frequency for Nov-2010
|
Region |
Capacity growth |
Seat capacity (mill) |
Frequency growth |
Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Within Asia |
+7% |
88.7 |
+7% |
584,092 |
|
Within North America |
+3% |
73.5 |
+1% |
798,529 |
|
Within Europe |
+4% |
64.5 |
+3% |
535,580 |
|
To/from Europe |
+12% |
22.8 |
+12% |
101,335 |
|
Within Central and South America |
+6% |
21.3 |
+5% |
201,293 |
|
To/from North America |
+4% |
15.2 |
+1% |
74,883 |
|
To/from Asia |
+12% |
14.4 |
+13% |
59,641 |
|
To/from Middle East |
+17% |
11.6 |
+16% |
53,154 |
|
To/from Central and South America |
stable |
8.4 |
-2% |
50,140 |
|
To/from Africa |
+17% |
7.8 |
+16% |
39,695 |
|
Within Middle East |
+11% |
6.9 |
+11% |
45,103 |
|
Within Africa |
+8% |
6.6 |
+11% |
65,883 |
|
Global |
+6% |
301.6 |
+4% |
2.4 million |
Capacity in the month exceeded Nov-2007 levels to reach the highest level this decade with further growth expected in 2011.
Worldwide capacity and frequency trends: Nov-2001 to Nov-2011F
Source: OAG
Atlanta, Beijing and London Heathrow are the world's busiest
Of the world's 20 largest airports, two were in North America, two in the Asia Pacific and one in Europe. The largest airport in the Middle East, the region that witnessed the largest capacity growth in the month, was Dubai Airport, ranking as the 12th largest airport with 5.4 million seats in the month.
20 Largest Airports worldwide: By Nov-2010 seats
Source: OAG
US airlines adding domestic capacity at an accelerated rate; international capacity slows
US airlines have added domestic seat capacity at an accelerated rate over the last four months and increased 3% in Nov-2010. US domestic capacity had been declining year-over-year with the first month of growth occurring in Aug-2010 (+0.8%).
Capacity in Nov-2010 however remains depressed from pre-crisis levels with the intra-Asia market overtaking the intra-North America market as the largest market by capacity in Nov-2010. The "within North America" market, however, remains the largest by frequency share.
Intra North America capacity (seats) share: Nov-2010 to Nov-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and OAG Facts
UBM Aviation CEO Peter von Moltke commented: "Confidence in domestic US travel appears to be returning. The upward trend in the rate of available seat capacity growth over the last few months is positive for travelers, who are likely to see continuing growth in available seats through the end of this year and into 2011."
Although capacity within the US and North America overall is trending upward, Canada's domestic capacity has declined in recent months and is down 1% year-to-date. Canada's international capacity is robust, however, increasing 7% in Nov-2010, growing at a much faster rate than international capacity for the US which has slowed from 6% for Jul-2010 to 4% for Nov-2010.
Central American capacity affected by Mexicana
Still showing an impact from the cancellation of Mexicana flights, the number of flights within Mexico is down 20% and capacity (seats) is 18% weaker for Nov-2010. Mexico's international capacity reduction are more moderate, down 10% in frequency and 7% in seats, reflecting additions by other international airlines.
Mr von Moltke said: "Many carriers see Mexicana's cancellation of flights as a profitable opportunity to replace the region's lost service. Although frequency and seat capacity losses in and out of the country are still high, it is expected to begin to shrink, month-by-month. Mexico's scheduled capacity, at least for international routes, could return to early 2010 levels by the end of the first quarter of 2011."