Indonesia, India, Thailand and Malaysia accounted for more than 50% of global Low Cost Carrier seat capacity growth for the first six months of 2013, according to analysis from Amadeus’ Air Traffic solution. In contrast, Europe and North America were flat while South America went backwards. Report highlights include:
- Overall global increase in LCC seat capacity of 6.8% in the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012
- Asia showed the strongest growth rates of any region with a 28% overall increase
- Jakarta saw the strongest absolute LCC capacity growth of any capital, closely followed by Bangkok
- London is the world’s largest LCC city by capacity, with nearly 15 million available LCC seats in the first half of 2013
- Europe shows a divided landscape: from huge growth in Warsaw (63%) to Madrid’s sharp decline (-27%).
- Overall Europe registered a 0.8% increase in LCC seat capacity, North America was up 1.5% and South America down -0.6%.
On Asia, the report said:
“Low-cost carriers in Indonesia (capacity up by 12.3 million seats), India (capacity up by 3.0 million seats), Thailand (capacity up by 2.0 million seats) and Malaysia (capacity up by 1.8 million) were responsible for half of total, global, LCC capacity growth.
“Asia showed the strongest growth rates of any region with a 28% overall increase to reach 129 million departing LCC seats in the first six months of 2013.
“When capital cities are examined, it is evident that capacity increases are being driven by emerging Asian nations.
“Jakarta saw the strongest absolute LCC capacity growth of any capital, increasing by 2.8 million seats or 44%, closely followed by Bangkok, up 1.2 million seats or 30%.
“In addition, the heavily developed Tokyo market also saw a significant increase in LCC seat capacity, which suggests the traditional focus on full service, could be changing.”
http://www.traveltrends.biz/ttn555-asian-low-cost-carrier-boom-28-increase-in-seats-this-year/