OAG says airlines are still growing

Now based in Luton (they were for decades at nearby Dunstable), the airline data specialists OAG report that global scheduled airline capacity between January and April is expected to be 4% higher in 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.  It now stands well above the previous peak in 2008 but most of this growth is coming from the Far East.

Looking at the European market, recovery from the 2009 recession is slow.  Capacity to destinations outside of Europe is greater than the 2008 levels.  However within the EU clearly the airlines remain cautious, reflecting the economic uncertainty surrounding the European economy.  The fierce competition from the major low cost carriers has increased the pressure on legacy European carriers with the likes of LOT and Czech airlines in the process of major re-structuring and forcing Spanair and Malev into bankruptcy.  At Budapest, capacity is still down 25% year on year and has forced the operator to consolidate from two terminals into one.

The picture emerging from North America is even more wary.  Domestic and international capacity has been effectively static since 2009.  Further capacity cuts are likely to be seen this year as the full impact of American Airlines Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is felt. www.oag.com

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