All the experts agree that while low-cost carriers were hard hit by the global air transport crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, they were the first to rebuild their point-to-point networks, which are much less complex than the hub-and-spoke networks of traditional airlines. As domestic networks in different countries around the world were the first to pick up again, low-cost carriers gained time over traditional carriers handicapped by the total halt to transcontinental routes. 

Big presence in South Asia and Southeast Asia

Time gained is reflected in the latest statistics, since in March 2023, low-cost carriers accounted for a total of 32% of global seat capacity, up three points on 2019 (29%) and 7 points on 2015 (25%). The largest proportion of low-cost seats is in South Asia (63%) and Southeast Asia (52%). 

Low-cost airlines contribute more than half of scheduled capacity in 21 countries worldwide, with India (more than 18.9 million seats, 74%), Spain (more than 11.8 million seats, 50%), Brazil (11.1 million seats, 58%), Indonesia (9.8 million seats, 63%), Mexico (58%) in particular. 

France is the second country where low-cost airlines have grown the most

The five countries for which the market share in seats of low-cost airlines has increased the most between March 2019 and March 2023 are Indonesia (+12 points, 63%), France (+11 points, 38%), Saudi Arabia (+12 points, 36%), South Africa (+11 points, 41%) and Kuwait (+14 points, 41%).