Air passenger growth falls in June: IATA
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Global air passenger demand rose 5.7% in June year-on-year (YoY), according to new data issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs, the result marked a slowdown compared to the 6.9% YoY growth recorded in May, in part owing to the timing of Ramadan, which depressed travel demand in the Middle East.
June capacity (available seat kilometres or ASKs) climbed 6%, and load factor dipped 0.2 percentage points to 81.1%.
“June was another healthy month for demand for air connectivity, although slower trade activity in emerging Asia-Pacific markets and the impact of the Greek debt crisis on European travel remain worrisome,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO.
European carriers saw demand climb 4.1% in June versus June 2014, which was below the 5.7% rise in traffic in May. Although business activity indicators suggest that the region’s economic recovery is on track, consumer sentiment has been hampered by events in Greece including the potential consequences of the country exiting the Eurozone. Capacity rose 3.5% and load factor climbed 0.4 percentage points to 84.0%.
“Midway through the peak summer travel season in the Northern Hemisphere, demand for connectivity remains high,” said Tyler.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of many economies and much of it arrives by air. Unfortunately, too often governments appear not to realise this, burdening airlines and travellers with high fees and taxes. The short-term financial benefit comes at the long-term expense of the economy. The French government’s decision to allow annual charges increases at Paris’s two airports between 2016 and 2020 is the latest example – incredible for a country where tourism and global business play such big economic roles. Dialogue between industry and government is critical to finding win-win solutions… The peak travel season should serve as a reminder to all governments of the importance of aviation policies focused on enabling aviation to catalyse economic growth,” said Tyler.
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