By Michel Haoses.
The International Air Transport (IATA)released its data for September global passenger demand this week.
According to IATA, total demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 7.1% compared to September last year while total capacity measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 5.8% year-on-year and the September load factor was 83.6%.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said, “This year’s peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high. This is good news not just for passengers but also for the global economy. Every flight creates more jobs and trade. But air travel success story is bringing challenges.”
“We will face a capacity crunch in some regions which threatens to curtail these economic and social benefits. Governments will face a choice out to more dynamic nations who value global connectivity, or forge a consensus for sustainable growth,” he added.
The total air passenger traffic market share by region of carriers in terms of RPK was 2.1 % for Africa, and 31.7%, 27.1%, 5.5%, 9.4%, and 24.2% for Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and North America respectively.
Africa airline carriers saw an 11.9% year-on-year increase in demand to 12.2%, while total capacity measured in ASK was up 6.9% year-on-year. Passenger load factor rose to 76.5%.
Asia Pacific Airlines achieved a year-on-year increase in demand to 12.4% while capacity measured in ASK and the passengers were 8% and 83.15 respectively.
European carriers saw a 7.6% year-on-year increase in demand to 6.7% while capacity increased by 7.4% year-on-year to 6.4%. The load factor was 86.5%, a 0.2 increase compared to September last year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 4.4% year-on-year increase in demand to 4.7, while capacity measured in ASK increased by 4.6% year-on-year to 4.6%. The load factor was 81.4%, a 0.1% decline compared to September last year.
North American carriers saw a 0.5% year-on-year increase in demand to 1.1%. Capacity measured in ASK increased from 1.9% year-on-year capacity to 2.2% while load factor declined from 1.1% to 84.4% when compared to September last year.
Similarly, Latin American airlines saw a 12.4 year-on-year increase in demand to 7.2% with capacity measured in ASK increasing from 13.9% to 7.6% year-on-year. The load factor saw a decline of 1.1% to 84.3% when compared to September last year.