JF Mezei
2009-02-24 20:03:44 UTC
This was a press release, so I can post it in its entirety:
Record Number of Planes Grounded Brings Percentage of Global Fleet in
Storage Close to 9/11 Peak, Says Ascend
Tuesday February 24, 9:50 am ET
Almost 1200 Aircraft Taken out of Service in 2008; Boneyards Benefit
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The impact of the global economic downturn
continues to be felt by the aviation industry, as new figures reveal
that a record total of almost 2,300 jet airliners are now parked. 1,167
aircraft were grounded last year, making 2008 the worst year for
cutbacks since 2001.
According to data from Ascend, the world’s leading provider of
information and consultancy to the global aerospace industry, more than
11 percent of the global aircraft fleet of 20,293 is now in storage.
Taking into account future decommissioning, that figure may even rise to
match the 13% reached at the end of 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist
attacks on the US Then, the global fleet comprised only 15,950 planes,
so a similar share in 2009 could mean a total of some 3,000 idle airliners.
Chris Seymour, Head of Market Analysis at Ascend, says, “The aviation
fleet data shows that at least 400 more aircraft are scheduled to be cut
during 2009, with groundings being announced almost daily. This is
having a negative effect on aircraft values and lease rates, and
creating real challenges for the aircraft financing community.”
Regional breakdowns also suggest that most regions have felt the impact
of a weakening global economy. North American carriers have announced
fleet reductions totaling almost 800 aircraft since mid-2008, while
European carriers have parked over 450 aircraft and Asia/Pacific
airlines at least 230. The Middle East region has not been affected to
the same degree however, with Emirates airline announcing a planned 14
percent increase in capacity in 2009.
According to Seymour, the severe increase in aircraft groundings is a
clear indication of drastic cost-cutting measures by airlines as they
adjust to the challenging global economic climate, consumer
belt-tightening and reduction in cargo traffic.
“Some reduction in capacity is typical over winter months as passenger
traffic decreases. But this season’s fleet cuts were far more severe
than those of the recent past.”
Planes on ice in desert sand
One benefactor of increased plane groundings is set to be the aviation
storage business, based primarily in the Arizona and Californian deserts
of America.
Aircraft boneyards are a good barometer of the state of the arirline
industry, Seymour says. “Generally speaking, the fuller the aircraft
boneyards, the tougher the market conditions. Storage facilities are
already filled with a surplus of older technology 727s, 737s and MD-80s,
many of which will never fly again. However some younger aircraft and
many of the 250 current generation aircraft will eventually be returned
to service once the industry recovers.”
Ascend’s fleet data gives insight into today’s volatile aviation market.
“The increase in groundings shows the extent to which consumer demand
has lessened, and is necessary if airlines are to adjust to the more
challenging operating environment,” says Seymour. “With new deliveries
still likely to be around 1,000 this year, subject to financing,
airlines also have to park older aircraft to avoid even more surplus
capacity.”
To see a chart showing parked jet numbers by year since 1989, click
here: Loading Image...
To see a chart showing the years in storage of the current parked fleet,
click here:
Loading Image...
Contact:
Tannissan Mae Communications for Ascend
Nancy Prendergast
***@tannissanmae.com
or
Vanessa Tout
***@tannissanmae.com
+44 (0) 20 7243 4440
Source: Ascend
-----------------------
Note, the ascend web site doesn't seem to work well, you may need to
save the files before yu can view them. The second chart is interesting.
1292 aircraft parked in the last 12 months.
287 parked 12-24 months
474 parke 2-5 years
231 parked for over 5 years
I think age of aircraft might be more interesting. Having a charter
showing percentage for each age class (1-5 years, 5-10 years, 10-15,
15-20, more than 20) would give better idea of wheter aircarft are being
retired, or really just being parked temporarily.
737-200, DC-9s, DC10s, L1011 etc that are parked are really just
awaiting transformation into beer cans. But a 737-NG, 320 or other
recent aircraft are really being parked due to fleet rationalisation (as
opposed to fleet rejuvenation).
.
--
misc.travel.air-industry is a moderated newsgroup. Please mail messages to
***@airinfo.aero, and see http://mtai.airinfo.aero for the FAQ and policies.
Record Number of Planes Grounded Brings Percentage of Global Fleet in
Storage Close to 9/11 Peak, Says Ascend
Tuesday February 24, 9:50 am ET
Almost 1200 Aircraft Taken out of Service in 2008; Boneyards Benefit
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The impact of the global economic downturn
continues to be felt by the aviation industry, as new figures reveal
that a record total of almost 2,300 jet airliners are now parked. 1,167
aircraft were grounded last year, making 2008 the worst year for
cutbacks since 2001.
According to data from Ascend, the world’s leading provider of
information and consultancy to the global aerospace industry, more than
11 percent of the global aircraft fleet of 20,293 is now in storage.
Taking into account future decommissioning, that figure may even rise to
match the 13% reached at the end of 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist
attacks on the US Then, the global fleet comprised only 15,950 planes,
so a similar share in 2009 could mean a total of some 3,000 idle airliners.
Chris Seymour, Head of Market Analysis at Ascend, says, “The aviation
fleet data shows that at least 400 more aircraft are scheduled to be cut
during 2009, with groundings being announced almost daily. This is
having a negative effect on aircraft values and lease rates, and
creating real challenges for the aircraft financing community.”
Regional breakdowns also suggest that most regions have felt the impact
of a weakening global economy. North American carriers have announced
fleet reductions totaling almost 800 aircraft since mid-2008, while
European carriers have parked over 450 aircraft and Asia/Pacific
airlines at least 230. The Middle East region has not been affected to
the same degree however, with Emirates airline announcing a planned 14
percent increase in capacity in 2009.
According to Seymour, the severe increase in aircraft groundings is a
clear indication of drastic cost-cutting measures by airlines as they
adjust to the challenging global economic climate, consumer
belt-tightening and reduction in cargo traffic.
“Some reduction in capacity is typical over winter months as passenger
traffic decreases. But this season’s fleet cuts were far more severe
than those of the recent past.”
Planes on ice in desert sand
One benefactor of increased plane groundings is set to be the aviation
storage business, based primarily in the Arizona and Californian deserts
of America.
Aircraft boneyards are a good barometer of the state of the arirline
industry, Seymour says. “Generally speaking, the fuller the aircraft
boneyards, the tougher the market conditions. Storage facilities are
already filled with a surplus of older technology 727s, 737s and MD-80s,
many of which will never fly again. However some younger aircraft and
many of the 250 current generation aircraft will eventually be returned
to service once the industry recovers.”
Ascend’s fleet data gives insight into today’s volatile aviation market.
“The increase in groundings shows the extent to which consumer demand
has lessened, and is necessary if airlines are to adjust to the more
challenging operating environment,” says Seymour. “With new deliveries
still likely to be around 1,000 this year, subject to financing,
airlines also have to park older aircraft to avoid even more surplus
capacity.”
To see a chart showing parked jet numbers by year since 1989, click
here: Loading Image...
To see a chart showing the years in storage of the current parked fleet,
click here:
Loading Image...
Contact:
Tannissan Mae Communications for Ascend
Nancy Prendergast
***@tannissanmae.com
or
Vanessa Tout
***@tannissanmae.com
+44 (0) 20 7243 4440
Source: Ascend
-----------------------
Note, the ascend web site doesn't seem to work well, you may need to
save the files before yu can view them. The second chart is interesting.
1292 aircraft parked in the last 12 months.
287 parked 12-24 months
474 parke 2-5 years
231 parked for over 5 years
I think age of aircraft might be more interesting. Having a charter
showing percentage for each age class (1-5 years, 5-10 years, 10-15,
15-20, more than 20) would give better idea of wheter aircarft are being
retired, or really just being parked temporarily.
737-200, DC-9s, DC10s, L1011 etc that are parked are really just
awaiting transformation into beer cans. But a 737-NG, 320 or other
recent aircraft are really being parked due to fleet rationalisation (as
opposed to fleet rejuvenation).
.
--
misc.travel.air-industry is a moderated newsgroup. Please mail messages to
***@airinfo.aero, and see http://mtai.airinfo.aero for the FAQ and policies.