Central American aviation proves turbulent in October

(Mexicana)

The number of flights within Central America has fallen dramatically in October due to the suspension of flights by Mexicana, said OAG Aviation October 6.

In its monthly trend report, OAG said that the number of flights to and from Central America was also down by two percent, and while international carriers should fill this gap by the end of the year, domestic service in Mexico (down nearly 20 percent) "will likely take longer to reach previous levels."

Flights from North American airports to Central/Latin America appear to have been particularly badly hit, with seat capacity down from major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami.

Every other global region showed a growth in air services, with an extra 133,116 flights globally taking to the skies this October than in 2009, a five percent increase equating to some 20.8 million seats.

Africa led the growth, with 15 percent more flights to and from the continent, and the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions also showed strong growth, both adding 12 percent more flights than a year before.

Flights to and from Europe, which have lagged growth over the past few months, were up 13 percent, said OAG, with flights within the continents also rising five percent.

Flights to and from North America were up by five percent, meaning an extra 3,459 flights will depart for or from the continent this month.

http://www.oagaviation.com