IATA: 3 milliarder pax passeres i 2013

Thursday, December 5, 2013

IATA: 2013 Airline Passenger Total to Exceed 3 Billion

Woodrow Bellamy III

International Air Transport Association (IATA) CEO Tony Tyler said he expects the global airline industry to carry more than 3 billion passengers in 2013 "for the first time" since IATA began tracking global passenger demand.

Tyler's prediction was announced in a statement along with IATA's October 2013 international air traffic results. 

"In 2013, the airline industry will carry more than 3 billion passengers in a year for the first time," said Tyler. "And on 1 January 2014, we will celebrate a century of scheduled commercial aviation. These twin landmarks provide an opportunity to reflect on the enormous contribution aviation makes to all of our lives."

Total international passenger demand increased 7 percent for October, compared to the same period a year ago, according to IATA' s global passenger traffic results released Thursday Dec. 5. Capacity increased by 6.6 percent and load factor remained relatively flat, rising by 0.2 percent. 

Middle East carriers reported the strongest international year-over-year air traffic growth with an increase of 14 percent. IATA said airlines in the region have benefitted the most from strong demand for business related premium air travel, especially to destinations in Africa. 

Domestically, China lead all markets with a 12.3 percent increase in air traffic within its borders. China was trailed closely by India, where airlines posted a traffic increase of 11.5 percent, although IATA said the increase is more of the result of lower volumes domestically during same period in October 2012.  

"October traffic results reinforce expectations for a strong fourth quarter traffic performance in line with rising business confidence and better economic performance in the major advanced economies," said Tyler.