IATA reported (07-Mar-2019) the following traffic highlights for international passenger markets for Jan-2019:
- Global: International passenger demand rose 6.0% year-on-year, up from a 5.3% rise in Dec-2018. All regions recorded growth, led by Europe for a fourth consecutive month. Capacity increased 5.8% and load factor climbed 0.2ppts to 79.8%;
- Europe: Traffic up 7.7%, down from 8.6% growth in Dec-2018. IATA stated the moderation "likely reflects uncertainty over the region's economic situation, including lack of clarity over Brexit". Capacity rose 8.8% and load factor fell 0.9ppts to 80.3%;
- Asia Pacific: Traffic up 7.1%, "solidly above" the 5.0% growth in Dec-2018. Capacity rose 5.1%, and load factor surged 1.5ppts to 81.7%, second highest among the regions. IATA stated healthy regional growth is being underpinned by rising incomes and an increase in the number of airport pairs;
- Middle East: Region had the weakest growth, at just 1.5%. This was an improvement over the 0.1% drop in traffic in Dec-2018. According to IATA, it is premature to say whether this improvement represents a trend. Capacity climbed 3.2% and load factor fell 1.3ppts to 75.6%;
- North America: 4.7% traffic growth, improved from 3.7% in Dec-2018. Capacity climbed 3.5% and load factor increased 1ppt to 80.6%. Regional demand is being supported by comparatively strong economic conditions which have delivered a low unemployment rate and bolstered consumer spending;
- Latin America: Growth of 5.8%, a slight softening compared to 6.1% in Dec-2018. IATA stated signs are that passenger volumes have accelerated a little in recent months in seasonally adjusted terms. Capacity rose 6.7%, however, and load factor slipped 0.7ppts to 82.8%, which still was the highest among the regions;
- Africa: Traffic rose 5.1%, up from 3.8% in Dec-2018. Concerns continue about the region's largest economies, South Africa and Nigeria, however. The region's capacity rose 2.9%, and load factor jumped 1.5ppts to 70.9%. [more - original PR]