64.5 million seats: this is the number of seats announced by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) for the summer of 2024. This is higher than the capacity offered in the summer of 2023 (+2.8 %), and now exceeds the capacity offered in the summer of 2019 (+1.6 %). However, while supply is on the rise, the DGAC has observed many disparities from one geographical region to another. The "European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and the United Kingdom" segment, North Africa/Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North America recorded a higher offer in summer 2023This is more than the pre-crisis level.
The EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom accounted for 53 % of the supply (+ 3 %). The French flag's share remained stable compared with the previous year (26 %). However, it has stronger than in 2019 (+2 points). Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom account for almost half of this increase. Offerings are up in the majority of countries served (21 out of 29). However, several countries have not returned to their pre-crisis levels. This is the case in the UK, Germany, Austria and Hungary.
North America continues to dynamics with seat capacity up by 8 % compared with summer 2023. And even by 10 % compared with summer 2019. This is good news for the French flag, which is back in the majority with a market share of 51%. Supply to the Middle East is higher than in summer 2023 (+12 %) and 2019 (+5 %). The French flag almost doubles its number of seats, notably with the launch of Air France flights on Abu Dhabi.
There has also been a recovery towards non-EEA Europe, Latin America-Caribbean and Asia-Pacific. This recovery is even the strongest of all the continents for Asia-Pacific (+201TP3Q compared with 2023). Despite the main innovation of the direct service to Australia, seat capacity in Asia-Pacific remains below summer 2019 levels. It is still 17% lower than in the pre-Covid period.
A virtual monopoly of French airlines in Africa
North Africa and the Middle East recorded a very strong growthby 20% compared with 2019 and by 4% compared with last year. But only a few countries are benefiting, such as Morocco, Algeria and Jordan. On the other hand, there has been a fall of 37% to Israel.
Developments on Africa excluding Maghreb is also favourable. The continent accounts for 2.5 % of total seat capacity and is 7 % higher than in 2023. This overall seat capacity on Africa also exceeds its 2019 level (+15 %). Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Mauritius account for a third of the offer.
The French flag (81 %) gains 2 market share points compared with summer 2023, Air France has a monopoly to 18 countries. Only Cape Verde, Kenya, Mauritius and Senegal operate their own airlines alongside Air France. Just like Ethiopian Airlines, the only African airline with a monopoly in France.
Air France's presence could be even greater if the governments of Mali, Niger and Burkina-Faso finally approve the French carrier's request for 95,000 seats to these three countries. The suspension of these services represents 6% of the offer in the Africa zone.
Overseas is back to its pre-crisis level, following a reduction in supply compared with summer 2023. Supply to the Americas (Antilles-Guyane and Saint-Pierre-Miquelon) is lower than in summer 2023 (-3 %) and 2019 (-4 %). Overseas in the Indian Ocean, supply is down compared with summer 2023 (-2.5 %) due to the drop recorded on Réunion. Capacity is back at its 2019 level, following a sharp rise in 2023.
Finally, the downward trend since 2019 has continued on domestic routes. However, whereas this drop in capacity only concerned radial routes from Paris, it has now reached cross-border routes.
