Low-cost air carriers spreading wings over the Atlantic

Low-cost air carriers are spreading their wings across the Atlantic, much to the chagrin of the major airlines now forced to serve new destinations and cut fares. Transatlantic flights operated by Norwegian Air, Iceland's Wow air, Canada's WestJet and Morocco's Royal Air Maroc have multiplied in recent years as jet fuel has grown cheaper. Frequently offering fares less than half that of major airlines, low-cost carriers have quickly attracted travelers. Traditional players have seen their collective market share decline, dropping from 75% in the summer of 2014 to 72% this summer, according to the air travel data company OAG. While low-cost carriers remain small players, larger airlines "are looking over their shoulders," said George Hobica of airfarewatchdog.com. "They could be a growing threat as they add more seats," he told AFP. "Currently, if you look at the percentage of seats they have compared to major airlines, it's very small." Booked in advance, a round-trip flight between London and New York currently runs an average of US$398 on the low-cost carriers, according to Hobica, compared to more than US$600 with the major airlines. WestJet even has flights linking Canada and London at US$149. Even with other costs added in, such as charges for meals, luggage and headphones, passengers can get a good deal, according to Hobica. Aware of the threat, the larger companies have not wasted time, offering cheaper seats, more direct flights and new connections. BA recently began serving a route between London and San Jose, California. Delta Air Lines, United and American, the three largest US companies, recently said they saw a drop in transatlantic traffic due to Britain's vote to quit the eurozone, terrorist attacks in Europe and overcapacity. Revenues could fall as a result.<br/>