Airlines cut capacity at Manchester Airport
23.09.08
Manchester Airport is almost certain to see capacity cuts this winter, analysts say. Crain’s reports that data for winter schedules shows a 3 percent cut in capacity by airlines across all flights at the airport.
The analysis by Flight Global was based on a comparison of published airline schedules for one week this October with the same week last year. This also shows that airlines have cut frequency of flights by 7 percent.
Although some airlines have yet to finalise their schedules, the newspaper says that the figures give a good indication of how the current tough economic climate will affect Manchester Airport this winter. They also warn the situation may get worse as more airlines announce their winter schedules.
The highest profile capacity cut for Manchester this winter will be the decision by BA to stop its daily flights to New York. The airline said the route was not attracting enough business class passengers. Jet2 is also making cuts, but bmibaby, easyJet and Ryanair have all added capacity for the winter.
The figures do not include the capacity cuts the airport will now suffer as a result of the collapse of XL Airways earlier this month. The airline flew to 29 destinations, although these were mostly summer flights.
A spokesman for Manchester Airport told Crain's that it was unable to provide capacity data for winter 2008/09. He said some airlines had still to announce their schedule and situation was changing week by week, adding: ‘It is no secret the winter is going to be tough. It's down on last year.’
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