OAG Reports Global Airline Capacity

The growth in scheduled flights continues again in March, albeit at a slower rate than in February, with airlines providing 2 percent more flights, according to a release from OAG.

The trend for larger aircraft is set to continue as capacity increases at a higher rate of 3 percent. This marks the tenth consecutive month of growth compared to the same period last year, according to the latest statistics from OAG.

The OAG Frequency and Capacity Trend Statistics for reveals that whilst the global picture remains encouraging, the growth is not reflected across all regions. Capacity growth across the Middle East and South/Central America regions is strongest at 10 percent and 9 percent respectively and is accompanied by similarly high frequency growth rates of 9 percent for the Middle East region and 7 percent for South/Central America.

The continued challenging economic situations in North America and Europe are not without their side-effects for those airline markets. North America sees a 1 percent decline in capacity and accompanied by a 3 percent decline in frequencies with Europe looking at a 2 percent decline in frequencies with capacity remaining flat year on year.

"The frequency and capacity trends for March 2012 are representative of the differing regional economic conditions," said Mike Malik, Chief Commercial Officer UBM Aviation. "As Airlines adapt their strategies to meet these conditions we will undoubtedly see them looking further afield for growth."

OAG is a UBM Aviation brand and a source for aviation information and analytical services. UBM Aviation, a UBM company, is a provider of market aviation solutions.

Report information:

oagaviation.com/OAG-FACTS/2012/March-Executive-Summary.

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