The number of airline passengers continued to grow in September, reported the International Air Transport Association (IATA), but grey skies may lie ahead.
International passenger demand rose by 10.5% last month, compared to September 2009, stronger than the 6.5% rise seen in August this year.
Demand outstripped supply in all regions, with a global capacity increase of only 7.3% year-on-year, pushing global load factors up to 80%.
Of the regions, the middle east showed the strongest growth, with an increase in traffic of nearly 24% year-on-year, followed by Africa, which was up 16%.
Traffic in North America returned to pre-recession (early 2008) levels, with an 11.1% rise, while in Europe passenger numbers are now 2% above the pre-recession figures, with an 8.4% rise.
Asia-Pacific carriers saw an 8.6% traffic increase, while for latin America carriers, passenger numbers rose by 6.6%.
Despite the rise in traffic, IATA warned that a larger than anticipated fall (12.1% below September 2009) in the amount of cargo that airlines carried last month reflects weak consumer confidence.
Freight traffic represents about a quarter of airlines’ revenues, according to Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s CEO, who said the aviation industry’s situation was “volatile”.
He said: “While September’s passenger growth is reassuring, the accelerating decline of air freight, including in Asia, is an early indicator of some turbulence ahead.”
Bisignani also warned that the effect of increased taxation in Germany and the UK could hamper the recent growth.
“Government actions can impact the sustainability of the recovery,” he said.
“Austerity measures will dampen demand. When combined with new or increased taxation, as we have seen in Germany and the UK, the challenges are even greater.
“Governments must understand that air transport is an economic catalyst.”
www.iata.org