North American flights decline in April

(AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL)

North America is bucking the global trend of aviation recovery, according to the latest figures released by airline analyst OAG aviation.

OAG predicts that frequency and capacity will grow in nearly all regions this month - apart from the North America. The number of available seats on internal flights in the United States and Canada is set to fall by two percent compared to last year.

In total, the world's airlines will operate four percent more flights in April 2010 than in April 2009. OAG says that Africa will experience the fastest rate of growth, with 18 percent more flights to and from the continent this year than in April 2009. The Middle East, which is not showing any signs of slowing, also has 10 percent more flights, 42,448 in total.

Traffic to Europe, Asia and Latin America grew by eight, eight and two percent respectively.

"Good growth in airline capacity and frequency is being seen in regions of the world that have experienced sluggish growth for years. Africa and the Middle East continue to show significant increases while in previously strong regions, such as North America, capacity has remained flat," said Peter von Moltke, CEO of OAG owner UBM Aviation.

New York's JFK Airport, one of the busiest in North America, will handle five percent fewer flights in April, according to OAG. The fall mirrors the overall decline in internal flights in North America, although international traffic posted a marginal one percent increase in flights.

Website: http://www.oagaviation.com/