ME airlines passenger traffic up 14.4% in Jan
dubai — Middle East carriers recorded the strongest year-overyear demand growth in January at 14.4 per cent, far surpassing the global average of 9.4 per cent, the International Air Transport Association (Iata) said on Tuesday.
Capacity of the regional carriers climbed 11.4 per cent and load factor rose against the year-ago period for a third consecutive month, up 2.1 percentage points to 79.8 per cent, reflecting a sound economic resilience in the region.
In January, global demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 9.6 per cent compared to January 2016.
“This was the strongest increase in more than five years. Results were positively affected by traffic associated with the Lunar New Year celebrations, which occurred in January this year, compared to February in 2016,” Iata said.
The global airlines body estimates the holiday-related travel contributed up to one-half a percentage point in extra demand growth. January capacity rose eight per cent, and load factor climbed 1.2 percentage points to 80.2 per cent. “2017 is off to a very strong start, with demand at
2017 is off to a very strong start, with demand at levels not seen since 2011 Alexandre de Juniac, Iata’s director-general and CEO
levels not seen since 2011. This is supported by the upturn in the global economic cycle and a return to a more normal environment after the terrorism and political ‘shock’ events seen in early 2016,” said Alexandre de Juniac, Iata’s director-general and chief executive officer.
January international passenger traffic surged 9.3 per cent compared to the year-ago period. Capacity rose 7.5 per cent and load factor climbed 1.3 percentage point to 80.3 per cent. “All regions recorded year-over-year increases in demand led by the Middle East and Asia Pacific,” Iata said.
Asia Pacific carriers recorded an increase of 10.9 per cent compared to January 2016, helped by the impact of Lunar New Year-related travel and solid growth on routes within Asia. Capacity rose 8.9 per cent, pushing up load factor 1.5 percentage points to 81.4 per cent.
European carriers’ international traffic climbed 8.3 per cent in January compared to the year-ago period against a backdrop of moderate momentum in the Eurozone economy. Capacity rose 6.7 per cent and load factor was up 1.2 percentage points to 80.3 per cent.
North American airlines had the slowest demand growth, with traffic rising 3.2 per cent in January, compared to a year ago. Capacity climbed 3.1 per cent, and load factor was flat at 80.3 per cent. Traffic on the transpacific market has continued to trend upwards but North Atlantic traffic
India led domestic all markets in year-to-year growth for the 22nd month in a row; January traffic soared 26.6 per cent, marking the 15th consecutive month of 20 per cent-plus annual growth. Demand is being stimulated by strong flight frequency.
China’s domestic traffic growth was not far behind, up 23.2 per cent compared to January 2016. This was the strongest monthly growth since June 2010.
Demand for global air freight, measured in freight tonne kilometers, rose 6.9 per cent in January led by a growth in Europe and the Middle East, Iata said.
Demand in Europe and the Middle East rose by 8.7 and 8.4 per cent, respectively, in January.
— issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com