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News
Traffic
Decline Continues
-Second Month of
Global Contraction-
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association
(IATA) announced international air traffic for October showing a second
consecutive month of global decline. International passenger traffic declined
by 1.3% compared to the same month in the previous year—a smaller decline
than the 2.9% drop experienced in September. The October load factor was 75%,
approximately 2% below previous year levels. International air freight
traffic contracted by 7.9% in October for a fifth consecutive month of
increasingly severe drops.
“The gloom continues and the situation of the industry remains critical.
While the drop in oil prices is welcome relief, recession is now the biggest
threat to airline profitability. The slight slowing in the decline of
passenger traffic is likely only temporary. The deepening slump in cargo
markets is a clear indication that the worst is yet to come,” said Giovanni
Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
Passenger
- Asia-Pacific carriers,
which represent 31% of global international passenger traffic, saw
passenger traffic decline by 6.1% (slightly improved from the 6.8%
decline in September). A capacity reduction of 2.3% could not keep pace
with the drop in demand, taking load factors for the region’s carriers
to 72.2%. Year-to-date growth for Asia-Pacific carriers fell to 0.3%,
the weakest growth outside of Africa.
- North American carriers saw
international traffic decline by 0.8% in October compared to the
previous year, only slightly changed from the 0.9% drop in September.
European carriers saw traffic rebound slightly into positive territory
with 1.8% growth in October. While trans-Atlantic traffic growth was
flat for the month, with both the European and US economies in recession
further declines in international traffic for both regions’ carriers are
expected.
- Latin American and Middle Eastern
airlines recorded 4.5% and 3.5% growth respectively. While better than
the September traffic figures, both regions remain well below the
double-digit growth rates experienced over the first half of the year.
Economic forecasts for both regions see considerable slowing of GDP
growth over the next 12 months to the 2-4% range. Airlines in both
regions can expect a continued slowing of growth.
- African carriers saw the
largest decline with international traffic dropping by 12.9% in October.
It is the only region where traffic deteriorated relative to September.
This continues the year-long trend of Africa being the weakest market
for air traffic with falls in both intercontinental and regional travel.
Cargo
- The 7.9% decline in air freight during October has
dragged year-to-date air freight volume to 0.8% below the same period in
2007. Forecasted declines in key air cargo sectors such as semi-conductors
indicate that weakness is expected to continue.
- Asia-Pacific carriers, which account
for 44.7% of the international cargo market, saw international freight
traffic decline by 11.0%, reflecting the sharp drop in the region’s
exports.
- North American and European carriers
saw less precipitous declines of 7.6% and 5.4% respectively.
- In sharp contrast to passenger performance, African carriers
saw a 3.0% improvement in cargo during October. This reflects trade
growth within Africa.
- Latin American carriers saw the
largest decline (11.4%).
- Middle Eastern carriers were the only
others to report growth (1.0%) in October.
“As the global economic
downturn re-shapes the world’s financial industry, policy makers must also
understand that change is needed in air transport. Unlike the finance
industry, airlines are not asking for handouts. Commercial freedom,
efficiency and a fair treatment in taxes are needed,” said Bisignani.
“We need commercial freedoms to run this as a normal business.
IATA’s Agenda for Freedom is building momentum among governments for access
to markets and equity capital and the ability to merge or consolidate where
it makes business sense. We need efficiency everywhere. At
the top of the list is a Single European Sky by 2012 that would save 16
million tonnes of CO2 and over EUR 5 billion in operating costs. And
we need common-sense in taxation. It was good news that the Belgian
government has backed away from its plans to introduce a new departure tax.
But the UK’s decision to hike its Air Passenger Duty is a major step in the
wrong direction. Air transport is a catalyst for economic growth. But
plugging budget gaps with gratuitous travel taxes is bad policy that is not
sustainable. This must change,” said Bisignani.
View
full October traffic results
- IATA -
Contact:
Anthony Concil
Director Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
Editors Notes:
- IATA (International Air Transport Association)
represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international
air traffic.
- Explanation of measurement terms:
- RPK: Revenue
Passenger Kilometres measures actual passenger traffic
- ASK: Available
Seat Kilometres measures available passenger capacity
- PLF: Passenger
Load Factor is % of ASKs used. In comparison of 2008 to 2007, PLF
indicates point differential between the periods compared
- FTK: Freight
Tonne Kilometres measures actual freight traffic
- ATK: Available
Tonne Kilometres measures available total capacity (combined passenger
and cargo)
- IATA statistics cover international scheduled air
traffic for airlines based in those markets; domestic traffic is not
included.
- All figures are provisional and represent total
reporting at time of publication plus estimates for missing data.
Historic figures may be revised.
- International passenger traffic market shares by region
in terms of RPK are: Europe 34.1%, Asia Pacific 31.0%, North America
19.0%, Middle East 9.1%, Latin America 4.4%, Africa 2.3%
- International freight traffic market shares by
region in terms of FTK are: Asia Pacific 44.7%, Europe 27.3%, North
America 17.0%, Middle East 7.8%, Latin America 2.1%, Africa 1.1%
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