Low-cost flights continue to soar – OAG
Europe now accounts for a quarter of all low-cost flights worldwide after numbers rose by 15% to more than two million in January.
The figures are revealed in the latest OAG Quarterly Airline Traffic Statistics, a regular snapshot of airline activity around the world.
It shows that the world’s airlines scheduled 83,600 flights to and from Europe, 6,000 more than in January last year and more than 25,000 more than in the same month in 2002 when the global aviation industry was still reeling from the aftershocks of 9/11.
This eight per cent increase in air services to and from Europe compares with worldwide January-to-January growth of just four per cent.
The low-cost sector saw a sharp 57% rise in the number of flights to and from the region, largely attributed to new services between Europe and North Africa.
Airlines have laid on more than a million seats to and from Europe in January, up seven per cent to more than 19 million. The total number of seats on sale within the region for January was more than 60 million (up six per cent) compared with 45 million five years ago.
The UK market saw a greater year-on-year increase domestically than in its international services, with the number of flights rising four and one per cent respectively.
Flights to and from the US, the world’s most mature aviation market, are five per cent higher at 114,700, while January’s 818,000 US domestic flights constitute a two per cent increase on January 2006.
OAG managing director Duncan Alexander said: “Currently there seems no ceiling to the expansion of the low cost sector.
“Each year you think it is going to slow down yet existing players expand and although some leave the stage there are plenty of new arrivals.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season