Flight Centre report predicts fuller flights and less flexibility going forward

Caucasian woman in red Christmas hat with backpack stands in international airport and looks on blurred airport departure board. Theme of Travel During Christmas and New Year. Copy space for your text
By James Harrison


Flight Centre Travel Group’s latest global trends report has revealed that travellers should brace for fuller flights and less flexibility as the industry bounces back.

The report said that global aircraft capacity will remain 15 per cent below 2019 levels until at least next year. The lack of seats comes as airlines around the world tackle rising fuel costs, staffing issues and supply-chain problems.

94.6 million seats were removed from airline schedules globally since last quarter and global seat capacity was approximately 400 million, down from 2019’s peak of 500 million.

The global air passenger load factor – which assesses efficiency in how airlines fill seats and generate fare revenue – in July averaged 85 per cent for international and 82 per cent for domestic while the 2019 load factor averaged 82 per cent.

The report found that international travellers are booking flights earlier, with corporate bookings happening 40 days before a trip, up 33 per cent from pre-COVID levels.

The North American aviation market is found to be leading the way with 96 per cent of its pre-COVID capacity expected to be reached by the end of the year. Australia and New Zealand are expected to hit 84 per cent in the same period.

Flight Centre Consulting’s GM, Felicity Burke, said the recovery will kick off when China reopens to the world.

“The major stumbling block that does remain is the continued closure of borders in China. When this changes, we expect capacity to really take off,” Burke said.

Asia’s travel industry remains the most hindered as strict border restrictions continue in China and Japan slowly reopens to the world. Asia is expected to hit 48 per cent of its pre-COVID seat capacity for international air travel by the end of the year.

International seats into Sydney remain at 58 per cent of pre-COVID levels as the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has called for the government to open up Australia’s air capacity to facilitate tourism recovery.

CATO managing director Brett Jardine, chair Dennis Bunnik and vice-chair Lisa Pagotto raised the open skies agreement during discussions with the Minister that focused on fast-tracking the recovery of the travel and tourism industry. The agreement would allow any airline unlimited capacity to fly into Australia.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]