Global air capacity has broken through the 50 million-seat level this week, according to the latest report from OAG. With 53.8 million seats in the most recent week tabulated, capacity is still 45% below the same week last year. One positive note, according to OAG, was that there were far fewer seats removed at the last minute, indicating that airlines are getting “a closer grip” on planned operations as a recovery continues. The airlines are now at 34% more capacity than in mid-June, when the first major breakthroughs in lockdowns and travel restrictions began to ease. Nine of the 10 largest regional markets reported growth, with only the Southwest Pacific region reporting a decline because of the lack of international service. The strongest growth was in Western Europe, with a 16% increase. Many of the regional markets remain at or around 50% of their January capacity levels; the notable exceptions are northeast Asia and eastern Europe, where capacity is edging closer to three-quarters of the January base point.