International air traffic recovery strengthens

The recovery in international air traffic strengthened last month, with passengers up five per cent above pre-economic crisis levels, according to the industry group IATA.

“As we approach the end of 2010, growth is returning to a more normal pattern,” said Giovanni Bisignani, director-general of the International Air Transport Association.

“Passenger demand is five per cent above pre-crisis levels of early 2008, while freight is one per cent above,” he added.

He said that the outlook for the industry remained unclear, although, “for the time being, the recovery seems to be strengthening”.

Last month, passenger demand was up 10.1 per cent compared to a year ago, while freight traffic was up 14.4 per cent.

Crucially, freight volumes, which have been down since May, have turned positive, IATA noted.

“We are ending 2010 in much better shape than we were just 12 months ago. Airlines have turned losses into profit – albeit tiny,” Mr Bisignani said.

Middle Eastern carriers posted the strongest growth for the month, with an 18 per cent jump compared to October last.