Low-cost carriers are performing better than traditional airlines in the current tough economic conditions, according to latest statistics from Official Airline Guide (OAG).

Total worldwide scheduled capacity for July is up just 1% compared with July last year, but the low-cost sector is showing 13% growth.

In the US, domestic capacity is down 2% overall, leading to a loss of 21,500 flights and 818,000 seats this month, but low-cost airlines are offering 4% more flights than a year ago.

The transatlantic route, traditionally one of strong growth, is showing just a 1% increase in flights and 2% in capacity for July. Similarly, there is just a 1% rise in the number of transpacific flights and seats.

Figures from OAG, which collects data from 900 airlines on a daily basis, show that Europe and the Asia Pacific region are faring better than the US, with intra-European and intra Asia Pacific flights up 3% and capacity up 4%.

India and the Middle East continue to outperform the rest of the world; this month there has been a 34% increase in flights to and from India and a 12% rise in domestic operations. The Middle East is showing a 20% growth in international operations, but a drop of -4% on routes within the region.

OAG chief operating officer Steve Casley said: “The OAG figures for July reveal signs of an impending downturn in the aviation industry. While some regions continue to show steady growth, the impact from the current climate in the United States is already contributing to an overall slowdown in the global figures and on the key long-haul routes between North America and hubs in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.”

By Linsey McNeill