Moderate slowdown in global passenger demand growth in October: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic data for October on Thursday showing that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) climbed 3.4 per cent compared to the year-ago period.

This was a modest slowdown from 3.9 per cent growth recorded in September, owing to softer traffic performance in domestic markets. October capacity (available seat kilometres or ASKs) increased by 2.2 per cent and load factor climbed 0.9 percentage point to 82 per cent which was a record for October.

“Traffic growth continues to be depressed compared to historical long-term growth levels, reflecting continued moderating economic activity in some key markets and sagging business confidence,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.