Global air passenger traffic increased 4.6 percent year over
year in August as the airline industry continues to see the effect of terrorist
attacks in Europe on demand, according to the International Air Transport
Association.
August demand grew slower year over year than the 6.4
percent growth in July and also slower than August's 5.8 percent capacity
growth. As such, global load factor in August declined 0.9 percentage points
year over year to 83.8 percent.
"While that’s disappointing compared to the previous
month's performance, it is still healthy growth," IATA director general
and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said.
On international routes, demand increased 4.7 percent year
over year in August, led by Middle Eastern carriers. Capacity growth outpaced
demand growth in all regions except Latin America, where the 2016 Summer
Olympics spurred additional demand. Terrorism concerns in Europe appear to be
affecting both international demand in Europe and Asia/Pacific carriers with
routes to Europe, but those effects are "ebbing," de Juniac said.
Demand increased in all major domestic markets
except Brazil and Russia, according to IATA. Domestic demand was up in the
double-digits in China and India and up 1 percent in the United States.