Flight schedules within Europe are down by 8% compared to April 2008, with 50,854 fewer flights. Capacity within the region is down by 7% with 4.7 million fewer seats on offer. The UK shows a steep decline with a reduction in domestic flights and capacity of 13% and 14% respectively, while international operations are down by 10% (11,237 fewer flights) and 9% (1.6 million fewer seats).
Figures for North America show downturns of 9% in domestic frequencies and 8% in capacity, with a 6% drop for flights and capacity to and from the region. Flights within Central/South America have 5% less capacity, while Asia is relatively stable with a 1% drop in capacity to and from the region and a welcome rise of 3% in the number of seats offered on services within the region.
The Middle East region, however, is enjoying a significant upward trend on all counts. Flights and capacity for travel within the region are up by 12% and 11% respectively, while the number of flights and seats offered to and from the region are both showing growth year on year of 15% for April 2009. This represents an additional 5,701 flights and 1.2 million seats on offer.
Flights to and from Africa are up by 6% with a 7% increase in capacity, although flights within the region are down by 1.6% with virtually no change in capacity.
David Beckerman, VP Market Intelligence at OAG, said: "The OAG figures for April reveal some sharp contrasts. The Middle East and Africa, and Asia to a lesser degree, are showing growth, while Europe and North America continue to show steep declines. These contrasts can be seen also on the key long-haul routes, where transatlantic and transpacific services are down significantly compared with this time last year, while services between Western Europe and the Middle East have increased by 16%."
