Global airline passenger traffic slowed in November

13th Jan 2014 13:31

Global airline passenger traffic registered a slowdown in November, with total revenue per passenger kilometre (RPKs) growing at a 4.1 per cent clip versus the same month a year ago, compared to a rise of 6.5 per cent in October, according to the latest figures out from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). However, that came alongside a 6.1% increase in capacity. As a result, the global load factor slipped by 1.4 percentage points, to 76.3%. "Demand drivers such as consumer and business confidence, however, continue to improve. This suggests that growth may accelerate in the coming months," the trade body said in a statement. The largest drop in load factor within international passenger markets was seen in North America, where it fell by two and two-tenths' of a percentage point, to 77.5%. Nevertheless, "recent economic indicators have shown a solid fourth quarter, despite the disruption of the government shutdown in October," IATA explained. In the Middle East the load factor dropped by two percentage points, to 72.1% and in the Asia-Pacific region by another nine tenths of a percentage point, to reach 75.4%. Africa, with a decrease of two percentage points, was the only region to see a drop in demand. There the load factor fell by three percentage points to 63.5%. In Europe the international passenger load factor slipped by half a percentage point to 77%. Solid domestic traffic in China, Australia downAs regards domestic passenger markets, the largest increase was seen in China. Chinese domestic traffic jumped 9.3% compared to the year ago, the strongest performance for any market. "The vibrant growth is consistent with the robust economic activity," IATA concluded. Domestic traffic in Australia dropped 1% due to the sluggish economy. AB