Aviation and Airlines (Commonwealth Union) _ Edinburgh and Glasgow, two major airports in Scotland, have experienced different trends in transatlantic air travel in recent years. Edinburgh has emerged as a stronger transatlantic market, while Glasgow has seen a decline in capacity. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Edinburgh’s Growth: Edinburgh has become a thriving transatlantic market, with significant growth in recent years. In the current summer season (S23), Edinburgh offers 307,000 departing seats, which is a 58% increase compared to the last peak season before the COVID-19 pandemic (S19). Moreover, compared to S17, which was another peak season, Edinburgh’s capacity has grown by 34%.
Glasgow’s Decline: In contrast, Glasgow has experienced a decline in transatlantic capacity. It currently offers only 52,000 departing seats in S23, which is a 68% decrease from S19. When comparing S23 to S17, Glasgow’s capacity has reduced by a significant 78%.
Total Scotland-North America Seats: When combining the capacity of both airports, there are fewer Scotland-North America seats available in S23 than at any time between S16 and S19. The total capacity remains down by a quarter compared to the peak season in S17. This reduction has allowed airlines to achieve stronger pricing and performance in the current high-demand market.
Routes from Edinburgh: Edinburgh Airport now offers 10 non-stop routes to North America, which is a new record. Six different airlines operate these routes, despite American Airlines discontinuing its Philadelphia service in the post-COVID era.
Routes from Glasgow: In S19, Glasgow had several North America routes, but as of now, it only offers TUI flights to Melbourne and Air Transat flights to Toronto. Glasgow has experienced a significant decline in the US market (-84% compared to S19) and a less dramatic decrease in the Canadian market (-45%).
The reasons behind these trends may include factors such as fees, charges, and incentives offered by the airports, as well as the overall market dynamics. Despite the decline in capacity at Glasgow, it still holds potential, particularly for outbound leisure markets. It could also explore options like attracting fifth-freedom carriers or long-haul low-cost operators in the future. Additionally, US carriers may show renewed interest when they have access to more fuel-efficient long-haul narrowbody aircraft to replace aging 757s. However, Edinburgh’s strong position in the transatlantic market remains a competitive factor.
