Middle East carriers saw an 11.5 per cent rise in demand in September 2016, compared to a year ago, which was the largest increase globally, International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced
Passenger capacity rose faster, up 13.8 percent. However, load factor dropped 1.5 percentage points to 73.9 per cent.
The IATA announced global passenger traffic results for September showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) grew seven per cent compared to the same month in 2015.
This was the strongest year-over-year increase in seven months. Passenger capacity climbed 6.6 per cent and load factor edged up 0.3 percentage points to 81.1 per cent. Growth in domestic traffic slightly outpaced growth in international traffic.?
?September?s growth in passenger demand was healthy. Importantly, this rebound from August weakness suggests that travel demand is showing its resilience in the aftermath of terror attacks. We must, of course, be ever-alert to the on-going terror threat. And overall the industry is still vulnerable to being buffeted by rising geopolitical tensions, protectionist political agendas, and weak economic fundamentals. This will still be a good year for the airline industry?s performance, but our profitability will continue to be hard-won,? said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA?s director general and CEO.
