INTERNATIONAL. Global passenger traffic demand increased by +3.8% in the 12 months to August, according to new figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). However, growth remains below long-term trends.
The data shows that total revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) in August were up on July’s +3.5% annual increase.
August capacity, expressed as available seat kilometres (ASKs), climbed by +3.5%.
Commenting on the overall results, IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said: “While we saw a pick-up in passenger demand in August compared to July, growth remains below the long-term trend and well down on the roughly +8.5% annual growth seen over the 2016 to Q1 2018 period.
“This reflects the impact of economic slowdowns in some key markets, uncertainty over Brexit and the trade war between the USA and China.”
Load factor rose by 0.3% percentage point to reach a new monthly record of 85.7%, as airlines continue to maximise asset use, IATA observed.
De Juniac added: “Airlines are doing a great job of matching capacity to demand. With passenger load factors reaching a new high of 85.7% this is good for overall efficiency and passengers’ individual carbon footprint.’’
In international passenger markets, August air passenger demand climbed +3.3% compared to August 2018, an increase over the +2.8% year-over-year growth recorded for July. All regions saw increases, with the exception of Latin America, led by airlines in Africa. Capacity increased by +2.9%, and load factor was up slightly at 0.3 percentage point, rising to 85.6%.
Meanwhile, demand for domestic air travel rose +4.7% year-on-year in August, unchanged from the previous month. Capacity rose +4.6% and load factor edged up 0.1 percentage point to 85.9%.
