Global Trends in Air Traffic

For the first time in history, the number of flights around the entire world in the month of June surpassed the mark of three million planned flights. This exceedingly high number marks an increase of 3.5 percent in comparison to last year. This milestone is just one of the findings from the most recent Global Aviation Monitor. More than 850 airlines and 3,500 airports were regularly monitored by researchers at the German Aerospace Center in order to determine and analyze the current trends in global air traffic.

Following years of decline and stagnation, the number of flights in North America has once again increased by one percent compared to the previous year. With over 880,000 flights per month, North America continues to be the biggest market in the world for air traffic, handling approximately 30 percent of global air traffic, read an article from Airsoc.com.

In second place is Asia with an overall share of 27 percent of global air traffic due to an increase of between five and 10 percent in recent years. Europe is in third place, with 750,000 take-offs per month. The European market grew between three and five percent monthly on average over the last year. Germany is following the global trend in growth too – 85,000 take-offs in June represents an increase of 3.6 percent compared to June 2015.

In the third quarter of 2016, the volume of flights in Europe and worldwide is anticipated to increase up to two and four percent. When accounting for the number of flights, the biggest carrier in the world appears to be American Airlines. In June 2016 alone, American Airlines is offering 200,000 flights, which is an offering of 85 percent more flights compared to last year. This is due in part to American Airlines’ takeover of US Airways. Two of the five largest airlines in the world are now low cost carriers, which include Ryanair as well as Southwest Airlines. The DLR Institute of Air Transport and Airport Research publishes the Global Aviation Monitor (GAM) on a quarterly basis. The report details the current trends of International, German, and European air transport.