International air passenger demand grew 6.4 percent during the first seven months of this year

, according to the International Air Transport Association. IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani described as "amazing" the worldwide average load factor of 76 percent and the July monthly load factor of 80.8 percent. "The result is a strong revenue environment that is helping to combat the increasing price of fuel," he said. Conflict in the Middle East, however, slowed that region's growth while the foiled bomb plot in the United Kingdom is expected to produce "another isolated dip in August."