The International Air Transport Association said global air traffic data from June showed "a continued slowing of growth in the demand for air transport

… in line with weakness in business and consumer confidence." Overall passenger traffic during the month increased 6.2 percent versus the year-earlier period, with international traffic stronger than domestic. By region, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East each experienced double-digit-percentage traffic growth while North America had the most modest growth at 2.3 percent. "Although there are some pockets of solid performance, it is difficult to detect a strong trend—positive or negative—at the global level," according to IATA director general Tony Tyler. "Passenger markets have been growing more slowly since the beginning of the year, and freight markets gains have been mostly very weak. The net effect is a demand limbo as consumers and businesses hedge their spending while awaiting clarity on the European economic front."