Growth in available seats accelerated in November, but is still below the pace of growth in demand, which should support aircraft utilization rates.
Key points:
- Worldwide airline share prices rose 4% in December and are up 40% for the year, helped by the decline in crude oil and jet fuel prices over recent months;
- Crude oil prices halved by the end of 2014 and have fallen a further 17% in January, reflecting the appreciation of the US dollar as well as continued growth in supply;
- Q3 financial results show improvements in the US being partially offset by weakness in other regions;
- US passenger yields remain up on a year ago, but weakness continues in other regions;
- Air freight volumes continue to expand and the trend in air travel growth remains positive, supported by improving economic conditions in the US and strong trade growth in Asia Pacific;
- Growth in available seats accelerated in November, but is still below the pace of growth in demand, which should support aircraft utilization rates;
- Passenger load factors trended sideways in November, but air freight load factors continue to show steady improvement, supported by solid expansion in volumes.
Airlines Financial Monitor Dec. 2014
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
