IATA traffic figures

Growth in international air passengers slowed in September, rising 2.3% compared to a year ago – a weaker increase than the 4.5% achieved in August according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

Part of this growth is a correction in volumes after the strong increase in August compared to July. Importantly, the overall trend remains positive.

But there is also a more fundamental weakening of the positive growth trend, with latest data showing widespread slowing in major economies at the start of Q4.

The Far East market remains weak, contracting 1.6% in September year-on-year.  Air travel declines in Thailand and Malaysia and now being compounded by setbacks in the Chinese economy.

The recent weakening of the Eurozone economy may be starting to have negative impacts on air travel demand, with a rise of just 2.3% for the within Europe market – slower than the trend so far this year (3.6%).  Longer-haul markets have been performing relatively more strongly, including the North Atlantic and North and Mid-Pacific, helping with airline income which explains why international RPKs (revenue passenger kilometres) are growing much faster than passenger numbers.   www.iata.org

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