Global air travel demand rose 5.3 percent year over year in
March, outpaced by a 5.9 percent increase in capacity, according to the
International Air Transport Association.
Global demand for international flights was up 6.2 percent,
and domestic demand rose 3.7 percent. Both metrics grew slower year over year
in March than in the first two months of this year. "It is premature to
say whether this marks the end of the recent very strong results," IATA
director general and CEO Tony Tyler said in a statement. "We do expect
further stimulus in the form of network expansion and declines in travel costs.
However, the wider economic backdrop remains subdued."
Regionally, demand growth for international flights was
highest among Middle Eastern carriers, though their 12 percent demand growth
was outpaced by a 13.6 percent increase in capacity. The Asia/Pacific region offered
a similar story, as demand rose 6 percent and capacity increased 7.8 percent.
European carriers' 5.5 percent jump in demand about matched capacity growth.
International air travel demand in Latin America increased
7.9 percent. That's down from February's growth rate and indicates slower
growth of business-related travel demand. Demand in Africa increased 11.2
percent as the continent's carriers expand their long-haul networks, according
to IATA.
In North America, international air travel
demand inched up 0.7 percent, its lowest monthly growth rate since April 2013.
Capacity was up 0.6 percent, as carriers have focused more attention on
domestic markets, according to IATA. Within the United States, domestic air
travel demand increased 4.1 percent year over year in March.