Air traffic continues to climb
Global air traffic increased in January 2013, led by the strong performance of Middle Eastern carriers.
According to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air traffic increased 2.7% in the first month of this year, compared to January 2012, while average cabin load factors increased to 77.1%.
The growth was led by Middle Eastern airlines, which experienced 14.3% year-on-year growth, in line with a 14.4% expansion of available seat capacity. Latin American airlines also saw strong growth, with traffic rising 12.2%, while African airlines experienced a 9.4% demand upswing. European and North American markets continued to struggle however, registering growth of just 2.1% and 1.5% respectively. In Asia Pacific, the timing of Chinese New Year (in February rather than January this year), led to subdued 0.1% growth, although load factors remained high, at 77.8%.
“Passenger travel is growing in line with business confidence levels. Recent months have seen some positive economic signs emerge in both the US and China, and the eurozone crisis seems to have stabilised. Of course risks remain; the impact of US budget cuts has yet to play out and fuel prices are high. But even with those headwinds — real and potential — we still see underlying support for continued and potentially even strengthened growth,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General & CEO.
In terms of domestic markets, Chinese air travel was up just 0.1% on previous-year levels, due to the timing of Chinese New Year, while Japan’s domestic market experienced a 3.0% decline, and remains 12% below pre-tsunami and earthquake levels. Japan’s domestic load factors were also very weak, at just 56.4%.
India’s domestic market declined 4.9%, largely due to a 5.3% reduction of available seat capacity after the exit of Kingfisher Airlines. The US domestic market however, was more buoyant, rising 3.2% year-on-year and with load factors averaging 78.8%.