Low-Cost Leaders: Ryanair, Indigo Flying Significantly More This Month Than Pre-COVID

Aviation data analysis business OAG has released its monthly frequency and capacity statistics report for the month of June. The numbers represent a gradual growth towards pre-pandemic figures, with global capacity in June just 14.2% behind that in June 2019. Compared to last month, global capacity has increased by 6.7%, which is equal to an increase of 26 million seats.

The report also analyzes the seating capacity of the top 20 airlines by market size. The statistics mentioned in this particular section of the report point to some interesting trends. Let’s investigate further.

Global low-cost carriers leading growth

From the list of top 20 airlines, two stand out from the rest: IndiGo and Ryanair. Both these low-cost carriers are running at 18.4% and 20% above June 2019 figures in terms of the number of seats available. Ryanair is offering 86,961 seats this month, while India’s largest airline stands at 49,579.

It is interesting to note that IndiGo’s seat capacity for this month is 1.1% less than last month’s. Some readers may remember Simple Flying reporting on how India exceeded pre-COVID domestic flights last month as well.

IndiGo Airbus A320neo taxiing — Photo: Getty Images

The story in Europe is a little different, though. Ryanair’s capacity for June is marginally higher (0.6%) than in May, but it remains to be seen if the carrier can operate all of its scheduled flights. Of late, aviation in Europe has been plagued by union strikes, staff shortages, and several other issues that have resulted in utter chaos at some airports. Ryanair is also facing the possibility of an extensive industrial walkout over the summer, which could significantly hamper the carrier’s operations.

Many others nearing pre-COVID numbers

In addition to Ryanair and IndiGo, Azul Airlines and Turkish Airlines are the only two carriers to exceed pre-pandemic seat capacity this month. They are offering 25,280 and 42,713 seats in June, representing a 9.8% and 0.3% increase compared to June 2019 figures, respectively.

Several other airlines were quite close to exceeding pre-pandemic capacity. Southwest Airlines was the closest, at just 3.8% behind compared to June 2019, followed by Japan Airlines, which was 4.1% below. Next in line are China Southern and the LATAM Group, lagging behind by 5.9% and 6.5%, respectively.

American Airlines SFO USA California Getty

Awards on American Airlines are the most obvious choice. Photo: Getty Images

Legacy American carriers like Delta Air Lines, United, and American all have much to do still, despite offering the highest number of seats on the list. These airlines are lagging behind 19.8%, 17.3%, and 14.4% below their June 2019 capacity, respectively. Still, Air Canada bags the trophy for the most enormous gap to June 2019 capacity, with flights still 28.8% below.

Chinese carriers gained the most

Chinese airlines like Air China, China Southern, China Eastern Airlines have posted the largest increase in seats offered compared to May 2022. The figures speak for themselves; Air China is offering a whopping 59.5% more seats this month. Similarly, China Eastern is offering 44.7% more, and China Southern is offering 32.6% more seats.

This is primarily due to relaxations in stringent lockdowns and other restrictions in various Chinese provinces. However, all three airlines are still below June 2019 capacity, with Air China at 10.6%, China Southern at 5.9%, and China Eastern at 16.8%.