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News
Demand Continues Recovery in June
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association
(IATA) announced international scheduled traffic statistics for June
which showed continued strong demand growth as the industry recovers from
the impact of the global financial crisis. Compared to June 2009,
international passenger demand was up 11.9% while international scheduled
freight traffic showed a 26.5% improvement.
Capacity increased only slightly above demand improvements
during the month, keeping load factors in line with historical highs at
79.8% for passenger traffic and 53.8% for freight.
“The industry continues to recover faster than expected,
but with sharp regional differences. Europe is recovering at half the
speed of Asia with passenger growth of 7.8% compared to the 15.5% growth
in Asia-Pacific,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and
CEO.
Outside of Europe, all regions reported double-digit
growth in passenger traffic. “The question is how long can the industry
maintain the double-digit momentum. Business confidence remains high and
there is no indication that the recovery will stall any time soon. But,
with government stimulus packages tailing off and restocking largely
completed, we do expect some slowing over the months ahead,” said Bisignani.
International Passenger Demand
- After a dip
in April due to the volcanic ash crisis centered in Europe,
international passenger demand has returned to its upward growth
trend. Passenger volumes are now 1-2% above the pre-recession peak
in the first quarter of 2008.
- Middle
Eastern carriers continue to post the fastest
growth—up 18.0% compared to June 2009. This is based on a
strong regional economy and the ability to attract long-haul traffic
through the region’s hubs.
- Asia-Pacific
carriers recorded the most significant demand
improvement at 15.5%. China continues to be the region’s growth
engine.
- North
American carriers posted growth of 10.8%, comparable
to the 10.9% recorded for May 2010. Strong growth and the
industry-leading load factor of 86.6% are contributing to strong
second quarter financial results being announced by the region’s
carriers.
- European
carriers reported 7.8% growth, down slightly from the
8.3% recorded in May. While annualized growth of 6.2% is in line
with the industry average, it is clear that the recovery in Europe
is lagging behind the rest of the world.
- Latin
American carriers showed a 14.7% increase in
passenger traffic compared to June 2009. This reflects a more normal
growth rate than the 23.6% recorded in May when results were heavily
skewed by the Influenza A(H1N1) crisis which centered on the region
in May last year.
- African
carriers posted a 21.3% increase in traffic in June,
positively impacted by activities surrounding the FIFA World Cup.
International Freight Demand
- International
freight demand grew 26.5% in June 2010, down from the 34.0% recorded
in May 2010. May was exceptionally high as some interrupted traffic
from April’s ash crisis shifted to May. Volumes remain 6% above the
pre-recession peak in early 2008.
- Freight
demand continues to follow economic recovery and trade patterns with
airlines in Asia-Pacific (+29.8%), Middle East (+39.6%), Latin
America (+44.9%) and Africa (+54.0%) growing the fastest.
- Carriers in
North America (+24.2%) occupy the middle ground.
- Europe
(15.3%) is growing at half the rate of the fastest growing regions
based on slower economic growth. This trend is particularly evident
in Europe which is the only region still 5-6% below the
pre-recession peak. The low value of the Euro will be a help to the
region’s exporters and eventually drive up freight volumes.
“We remain cautiously optimistic. A clear indication of
the growing confidence is the over 400 aircraft orders announced at the
Farnborough Air Show. This is good news that will bring environmental
benefits through improved fuel efficiency. But it will also make the
challenge of matching capacity to demand much more difficult,” said
Bisignani.
View full June traffic results
- IATA -
For more information, please contact:
Anthony Concil
Director Corporate Communications
+41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
Notes for Editors:
- IATA
(International Air Transport Association) represents some 230
airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.
- We have
launched a Twitter account @iata2press, specially catered for the
media. Follow us now at http://twitter.com/iata2press for
the latest industry updates.
- Explanation
of measurement terms:
- RPK:
Revenue Passenger Kilometers measures actual passenger traffic
- ASK:
Available Seat Kilometers measures available passenger capacity
- PLF:
Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used. In comparison of 2009 to
2008, PLF indicates point differential between the periods compared
- FTK:
Freight Tonne Kilometers measures actual freight traffic
- AFTK:
Available Freight Tonne Kilometers measures available total freight
capacity
- FLF:
Freight Load Factor is % of AFTKs used
- IATA
statistics cover international scheduled air traffic; 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 40.5%, Asia-Pacific 25.5%, North America 16.5%, Middle East
10.5%, Latin America 3.8%, Africa 3.2%
- International
freight traffic market shares by region in terms of FTK are:
Asia-Pacific 44.9%, Europe 25.0%, North America 15.2%, Middle East
10.7%, Latin America 2.8%, Africa 1.4%
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