Global passenger traffic continued its healthy and moderate growth in November last year, according to figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose 6.2 per cent compared to November 2017, a slight deceleration from 6.3 per cent growth in October.
Capacity (available seat kilometres or ASKs) increased by 6.8 per cent over the year-ago period, and load factor dipped 0.4 percentage point to 80 per cent. It was only the third time in two years that load factor fell on a year-to-year basis.
IATA’s director general and chief executive officer, Alexandre de Juniac said: “Traffic is solid. But there are clear signs that growth is moderating in line with the slowing global economy. We still expect 6% demand growth this year. But trade tensions, protective tariffs and Brexit are all uncertainties that overhang the industry.”
