GENEVA, 26 June 2018: Europe’s current system of allocating capacity at airports is benefiting consumers by offering a greater choice and expanding connectivity, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
In an analysis release by the IATA late last week, it claimed passengers in Europe were enjoying an unprecedented level of choice and competition in air travel, despite the constraints imposed by a lack of new airport capacity.
Passengers and the EU economy are benefitting from new routes and the growth of low-cost carriers and other new market entrants, IATA reported.
The analysis showed airports classified at the highest level of congestion in Europe added 2,000 more routes in between 2010 and 2017.
Over the same period the number of long-haul routes grew by 27%
In Europe, 30% of routes were served by two or more carriers representing a 5% increase since 2010.
A recent study commissioned by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, from consultancy ICF, showed
Full-service carriers and low-cost carriers compete for 55% of seat capacity on intra-Europe routes.
Over the past 20 years there has been a near-doubling in city-pair connections within Europe and between Europe and the rest of the world.
“European consumers have greater choice and more competition than ever before when deciding how they travel within or beyond Europe. This is no small achievement when you consider that Europe’s airports are among the most congested in the world,” said, IATA’s director general and CEO. Alexandre de Juniac.
IATA’s research confirms that the rules for allocating scarce capacity at Europe’s congested airports are fostering competition and growing connectivity.
Europe has more than half of all the world’s slot-constrained airports but the European Slot Regulation ensures airports can provide opportunities for low-cost and full-service carriers to enter the market and provide competition and choice for passengers.
“The real solution to Europe’s aviation capacity crisis is to build more airport and air navigation infrastructure. But we are already on the back foot and capacity is not keeping pace with demand growth,” said de Juniac.
“Airports must do more to increase the operating capacity of existing infrastructure and governments need to encourage and facilitate timely and cost-effective expansion of congested airports and airspace,” said de Juniac.
