9% fewer global flights scheduled for February 2009 - OAG
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This month’s analysis of the OAG (Official Airline Guide) schedules database reveals that airlines worldwide will operate 9% fewer flights in February 2009 than in the same month a year ago. Seat capacity will be reduced by 7% for the same period. The total number of scheduled flights operating in February 2009 is 2,129,840 with an overall seat offering of 259,845,202.
The biggest contributor to this decline is frequency and capacity reduction within North American region, with a 13% year-on-year decline in scheduled flights. Flight within Europe will also suffer, with a predicted 11% year-on-year drop in frequency.
The Asia Pacific region however, is also contributing to the downturn. The number of flights to/from Asia Pacific reflects a drop of 3%, with 47,586 flights scheduled for February 2009, compared with 49,203 for the same month last year. Seat capacity will decrease of 466,586 to 11,719,144 as compared with 12,185,730 for February 2008.
Within Asia/Pacific this month there will be 18,409 less flights and 1,500,509 less seats than in February 2008, resulting in 4% drop in flight operations and 2% drop in capacity.
The Middle East region continues to show resilience despite the economic downturn. The figures from Middle East are encouraging. The number of flight activity to/from Middle East is scheduled to rise by 11% to 39,192 flights with a seat capacity increase of 9% to 8,450,588. Flight activity within the Middle East reflects a marginal increase of 2%, but total seats offered will be reduced by 1%.
Scheduled aircraft movements February 2008 vs. 2009
Region February 2008 February 2009 Growth
Worldwide 2,350,009 2,129,840 -9%
To/from Asia Pacific 49,203 47,586 -3%
Within Asia Pacific 496,046 477,637 -4%
To/from Middle East 35,293 39,192 11%
Within Middle East 33,037 33,676 2%
Source: OAG Worldwide Ltd 2009
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