OAG examines the smallest aviation markets

Health & Leisure
Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Recent analysis by OAG says the countries with the smallest aviation markets are:

  • Monserrat, Leeward Islands is the smallest with 2,555 scheduled seats planned for 2023, which is a little more than one minute’s worth of capacity in the United States.
  • Of the 10 smallest country markets, eight are served by just one or two airport pairs.
  • Saint Helena, the British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean, will see 5962 seats on flights at its cliff-top airport this year.

While we often talk about the biggest airports, longest routes and growing markets, in most cases for small country markets connectivity is vital, and it’s not about growing networks but holding on to what services and connectivity already exists.

The highest number of airport pairs served in any of the 10 smallest country markets (see table one, below) is five (Pierre and Miquelon), with most connecting directly to just one or two airports.

In many cases, a single airline serves these smaller markets, which makes them heavily dependent on the wider success of that airline. Fortunately, with carriers such as Latam (Falkland Islands) and Virgin Australia (operating to the Cocos Islands) that risk is relatively low.

The longest (and only) scheduled service from the world’s smallest market, Monserrat, Leeward Islands, is just 30 nautical miles (NM), while Pierre and Miquelon have a direct Paris service, with the local airline leasing a B737-700 to operate a monthly 2,306NM service.

 

OAG examines the smallest aviation markets

Health & Leisure
Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Recent analysis by OAG says the countries with the smallest aviation markets are:

  • Monserrat, Leeward Islands is the smallest with 2,555 scheduled seats planned for 2023, which is a little more than one minute’s worth of capacity in the United States.
  • Of the 10 smallest country markets, eight are served by just one or two airport pairs.
  • Saint Helena, the British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean, will see 5962 seats on flights at its cliff-top airport this year.

While we often talk about the biggest airports, longest routes and growing markets, in most cases for small country markets connectivity is vital, and it’s not about growing networks but holding on to what services and connectivity already exists.

The highest number of airport pairs served in any of the 10 smallest country markets (see table one, below) is five (Pierre and Miquelon), with most connecting directly to just one or two airports.

In many cases, a single airline serves these smaller markets, which makes them heavily dependent on the wider success of that airline. Fortunately, with carriers such as Latam (Falkland Islands) and Virgin Australia (operating to the Cocos Islands) that risk is relatively low.

The longest (and only) scheduled service from the world’s smallest market, Monserrat, Leeward Islands, is just 30 nautical miles (NM), while Pierre and Miquelon have a direct Paris service, with the local airline leasing a B737-700 to operate a monthly 2,306NM service.