The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic results for April showing a 3.2% increase in demand over April 2012. On the back of strong economic growth, the emerging markets, Africa in particular, are continuing to lead air travel growth, with all regions reporting year-over-year gains.
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| IATA Passenger Growth Data April 2013 (IATA) |
The timing of the Easter holiday (which occurred in March 2013 and in April 2012) is largely responsible for the apparent decline from March performance (when year-on-year demand showed a 6.2% increase). The seasonally adjusted rate for April showed demand up almost 5%, which is in line with the long term historical trend.
“Passenger demand continued to grow in April, extending the positive trend that has been developing since late 2012. The increase, however, is concentrated in emerging markets. Airlines in Europe and North America reported a modest expansion compared to the strong growth seen in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. While economic developments in Europe and the US certainly bear watching, most indicators continue to signal further expansion in air travel,” said Tony Tyler, IATA Director General and CEO.
Overall global capacity rose 4.4% on the previous April which was slightly ahead of
demand. This pushed the industry load factor downwards by 0.9 percentage
points to 78.1%. If we adjust for the impacts of seasonality, the load
factor remained near record highs of 80%.
African airlines’ traffic climbed 4.7% compared to April 2012, second best among the regions, while capacity rose 3.3%, causing load factor to rise 0.9 percentage points to 67.8%. Africa was the only region to experience a rise in load factor compared to 2012. As with their counterparts in the Middle East, African airlines have seen solid growth in air travel as a result of a sustained increase in trade and rapid economic expansion in some local economies.
According to the IMF, Sub-Saharan Africa is now the second fastest–growing region in the world, trailing only emerging Asia. The financial institution's Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa projects regional economic growth of 5 ½ percent in 2013–2014, compared with 5 percent in 2012.
African airlines’ traffic climbed 4.7% compared to April 2012, second best among the regions, while capacity rose 3.3%, causing load factor to rise 0.9 percentage points to 67.8%. Africa was the only region to experience a rise in load factor compared to 2012. As with their counterparts in the Middle East, African airlines have seen solid growth in air travel as a result of a sustained increase in trade and rapid economic expansion in some local economies.
According to the IMF, Sub-Saharan Africa is now the second fastest–growing region in the world, trailing only emerging Asia. The financial institution's Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa projects regional economic growth of 5 ½ percent in 2013–2014, compared with 5 percent in 2012.
