Transatlantic travel 'on the rise'

Increasing numbers of travellers are flying between North America and western Europe, according to new figures.

Over 25,000 flights are set to operate between the two regions this month, up by 1,400 on the same time last year, the research from OAG Data reveals.

The figure represents the highest level of October flights since the events of 9/11 and includes a two per cent rise in flights to and from the US and Canada. Across the world, airlines are planning to operate 2.4 million flights this month, up three per cent on last year.

"There are significant increases on routes between North America and Italy - Milan has 14 per cent more flights and Rome has nine per cent more - and between North America and Madrid, where the number of flights is five per cent higher," comments Joe Laughlin, vice president of sales and service for OAG Data.

"Similarly, October shows major transatlantic capacity increases at Atlanta Hartsfield (up 23 per cent) and New York JFK (up 16 per cent)."

The Middle East is enjoying the biggest rise in inbound flights, followed by the Asia-Pacific and Africa, says OAG Data.

British air traffic management firm NATS announced yesterday that it had managed 7,864 flights the first day in September, a record figure.

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