Transaltantic travel surges

Sure, statistics can be boring until you consider that they reflect underlying trends, trends that affect they way you travel.

Consider this figure from OAG, the respected industry observer. OAG data's latest Quarterly Airline Statistics provides a snapshot of what's happening up in the air, and over the Atlantic Ocean there's a lot going on.

OAG says transatlantic flight frequencies are up six percent this October, as compared to the same month a year ago. U.S. - Canada flights are up a more modest two percent.

While transatlantic traffic is up, you've got to read between the lines to see how this all affects you. Example: “The number of flights between North America and London's Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) airports is noticeably lower than in October of last year,” says Joe Laughlin, OAG America's Vice President of Sales & Service. More interesting still "there is only a slight growth in transatlantic capacity at the major European gateways of Frankfurt (FRA), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)".

It seems that the transatlantic growth that has been occurring has been at other European airports - especially Italian airports. OAG says flights between North America and Milan (MXP) are up 14 percent, and those to Rome (FCO) up nine percent.

What part of the world is enjoying the greatest increase in air travel? The Middle East. Flights to that unpredictable, and petroleum-rich, part of the planet have soared by 15 percent according to OAG.

So, what's the connection to the way you travel? Flight frequencies, and inter-carrier competition, are often tied to the cost of an airline ticket.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler