Max 737 grounding sees global seat capacity shrink by 41 million
A massive 41 million seats worldwide have been scrapped due to the global grounding of the Boeing Max 737.
Air travel data firm OAG has compared the numbers from mid-February before the grounding to early August and found the huge reduction in seat capacity.
"For every carrier there appears to be a significant reduction in capacity offered, much of which would have been assumed in the original planning of the carriers for this financial year," said John Grant, the executive vice-president of OAG.
About 11 million seats have been dropped in North America, with Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, United and American Airlines all significantly impacted.
"Accountants will, of course, be keeping a very close eye on every expense incurred as a result of the grounding as they prepare a series of claims for the inconvenience caused," OAG said.
Airlines’ loss of revenue as a direct result will likely be more than $4 billion up to November, and even higher if the jet has not been cleared to fly again by then.
"Many carriers have of course made operational adjustments, continued to operate aircraft with perhaps lower levels of capacity and incurred significant additional cost," Grant added in the report.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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