International passenger traffic up 5.6% in September

 
 According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), passenger traffic was 5.6 per cent higher than the same month last year and stronger than the 4.6 per cent year-on-year growth recorded in August. Air freight on the other hand posted a 2.7 per cent contraction for September compared to September 2010. This is a further deterioration from the 2.4 per cent decline recorded in August.
 “September’s strength in passenger demand was a pleasant surprise. Freight demand contracted for a fifth consecutive month and this trend is in line with falling business and consumer confidence. We are still expecting a general weakening in passenger traffic as we head towards the year-end,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
 International air travel volumes rebounded to levels reached in July, following a dip in August. The sharp decline in business confidence in most economies, and the weakness in US and European consumer confidence, suggest reluctance for both business and leisure travel. Continuing strong air travel markets may reflect the robust conditions in emerging markets and travel booked earlier in the year when there was more economic optimism.
·         Passenger load factors stood at 79.5 per cent in September, slightly below the 80.1 per cent recorded for the same month last year. Highest load factors were recorded in North America (82.6 per cent) and Europe (82.4 per cent). The load factor for Asia-Pacific airlines slipped to 76.0 per cent as the region absorbs the largest number of new aircraft deliveries.
·         Latin America carriers reported the largest increase in demand at 10.6 per cent (up from a 6.4 per cent increase in August), supported by robust economic conditions.
·         European carriers saw a 9.2 per cent increase, slightly behind the 9.5 per cent increase in capacity. This comes despite the continuing Eurozone crisis. The weak Euro is enhancing Europe’s attractiveness to tourists and creating export opportunities for business.
·         Traffic carried by Middle East carriers rose by 9.1 per cent, ahead of a capacity increase of 8.5 per cent--a step change from the 15 per cent capacity increases seen in recent years.
·         Asia-Pacific carriers saw a 4.3 per cent increase in demand, well below the 6.3 per cent increase in capacity. Despite strong domestic growth in India and China, growth rates for international markets slowed.
·         North American carriers recorded a 1.2 per cent increase in demand, the weakest among the regions. It lagged behind a 2.9 per cent increase in capacity.
·         African carriers experienced a 5.0 per cent increase in demand, closely matching the 5.2 per cent increase in capacity.