Airlines slash 60m winter seats

There will be 60 million fewer seats on aeroplanes worldwide in the run up to Christmas as carriers battle to cut costs.

A number of British airlines including Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways (BA) have already announced that their services will be reduced.

Continental Airlines and American Airlines, which are based in the USA, have also confirmed that they will be cutting passenger capacity.

Speaking to the Guardian, Chris Tarry, a consultant in the airline industry said that holidaymakers could expect further reduced services in 2009.

"I don't think we have seen all the likely capacity adjustments at this stage. For airlines, 2009 is going to be even more difficult than 2008."

British Airways recently revealed plans to reduce its winter flight service by 3.1 per cent after it saw first quarter pre-tax profits fall 88 per cent.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said at the time that the industry was facing "its worst trading environment" in history.

Posted by Carrie, 07 August 2008 10:41

News tags

• American Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• British Airways