IATA has issued traffic figures for January which shows a 7.9% increase over the same period in 2004, with cargo improving by 15.5%. Asia-Pacific growth was stunted at 2.5% in the aftermath of the tsunami tragedy. Overall passenger capacity rose by 7.8% leaving the global passenger load factor at 73.5% for January. With the exception of Asia Pacific and the Middle East, traffic gains have lead capacity expansion. Asia-Pacific, Middle Eastern and European carriers are reporting increasing profit numbers while the US industry continues to experience severe difficulties. This is particularly true as US domestic yields suffer severe pressure. Redeployment of US domestic capacity to international routes and the continuing weakness of the US dollar are largely responsible for the 11.8% rise in traffic by North American carriers.
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