Global air travel demand showed "strong growth" in
February amid low fares and improving economic conditions, according to the
International Air Transport Association.
On a global basis, traffic increased 4.8 percent in
February. That is well below January's 8.9 percent year-over-year growth rate, but
February 2017's results were skewed by February 2016's leap day. When adjusted
for that, the February year-over-year increase is in line with January, IATA
reported.
The cost of air travel, adjusted for inflation, has declined
more than 10 percent over the past year, which accounts for about half of traffic
growth, according to IATA.
Echoing the U.S.
Travel Association's report earlier this week, the attempted U.S. travel
ban has not yet had an impact on international traffic, according to IATA
director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. In fact, adjusted for the leap
year, February 2017 year-over-year international demand growth slightly
outpaced February 2016 year-over-year growth. However, the U.S. travel ban, Brexit
ramifications and electronic
device bans threaten demand in the long term, he said. "It's
intolerable that governments continue to add to the uncertainties facing the
air transport industry by failing to engage airline operations know-how on
issues that can damage public confidence," de Juniac said.
Domestic
travel demand growth increased 3.3 percent year over year in February, and
India, Russia and China led the way, according to IATA.