Flights back to pre-September 11 numbers

Emily Pacey

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The number of commercial air flights has fully recovered from the effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001

This month will see more than 2,270,000 flights will operate worldwide this month, 45,000 more than in April 2001, says travel data company OAG.

The growth of air travel in China and the expansion of the low-cost airlines industry are being credited for the rise.

There are now 20% more seats available on low-cost flights than there were a year ago, and 19% more flights. Over 10% of flights this month worldwide will be operated by low-cost airlines. Europe, the Middle East and Africa have seen the biggest increases in this sector.

"The low-cost phenomenon continues to break all records," said managing director of OAG Business Development Duncan Alexander.