Middle Eastern airlines report 5.9% traffic increase in October

Business Saturday 07/December/2019 17:03 PM
By: Times News Service
Middle Eastern airlines report 5.9% traffic increase in October

Geneva: Middle Eastern airlines posted a 5.9 per cent traffic increase in October, which was a sharp increase over the 1.8 per cent growth seen in September and throughout the year. Capacity increased 0.3 per cent, and load factor surged 3.9 percentage points to 73.5 per cent.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic data for October 2019 showing that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) climbed 3.4 per cent compared to the year-ago period. This was a modest slowdown from 3.9 per cent growth recorded in September, owing to softer traffic performance in domestic markets. October capacity (available seat kilometres or ASKs) increased by 2.2 per cent and load factor climbed 0.9percentage point to 82.0 per cent, which was a record for October.
“Traffic growth continues to be depressed compared to historical long-term growth levels, reflecting continued moderating economic activity in some key markets and sagging business confidence. However, the fact that traffic is growing is positive, and the industry continues to do an excellent job of maximising asset efficiency, as shown in the record load factor,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
International passenger markets
October international passenger demand rose 3.2 per cent compared to October 2018, unchanged from September’s year-over-year performance. Except for Latin America, all regions recorded increases, led by Middle East airlines for the first time since June 2018. Capacity climbed 1.6 per cent, and load factor rose1.3 percentage points to 81.0 per cent.
Asia-Pacific airlines’ October traffic increased 3.8 per cent compared to the year-ago period, a bit below the 4.0 per cent annual growth recorded in September and well down on 2018 growth largely owing to weaker business confidence in a number of key markets, the impact of the US-China trade war and the recent disruptions in Hong Kong. Capacity rose 2.7 per cent and load factor edged up 0.9 percentage point to 79.6 per cent.
European carriers saw October demand climb 2.1 per cent year-to-year, down from 3.2 per cent growth in September. On a seasonally-adjusted basis, traffic is showing a moderate upward trend despite generally soft economic activity in some of the key markets. Capacity rose 1.3 per cent, and load factor climbed 0.7 percentage point to 85.7 per cent, which was the highest among regions.
North American carriers had the second-highest international demand in October, with traffic up 4.1 per cent compared to October a year ago and largely in-line with a 4.3 per cent annual increase in September. Growth is underpinned by a solid US economy and robust consumer spending. Capacity rose 2.0 per cent, and load factor grew by 1.6 percentage points to 82.1 per cent.
Latin American airlines experienced a 0.6 per cent demand drop in October compared to the same month last year. This was the weakest performance in nine years and compared to a 0.9 per cent positive growth in September. Deteriorating economic conditions and rising social and political unrest in some of the region’s key economics likely contributed to the results. Capacity fell 2.3 per cent and load factor rose 1.4 percentage points to 81.4 per cent.
African airlines’ traffic climbed 1.8 per cent in October, the same as in September. The economic slowdown in South Africa may have weighed on the recent moderation in demand growth. Capacity rose 3.6 per cent, however, and load factor dipped 1.3 percentage points to 69.0 per cent.
Domestic passenger markets
Demand for domestic travel climbed 3.6 per cent in October compared to October 2018, down from 5.1 per cent annual growth recorded in September owing to softer performance in the US and China, the largest domestic markets. Capacity rose 3.4 per cent and load factor increased 0.2 percentage point to 83.9 per cent.
Chinese airlines’ domestic traffic rose 5.3 per cent in October, well down on 8.0 per cent growth recorded in September and the third consecutive month of slowing growth. Modest easing in consumer spending combined with tougher year-ago comparisons contributed to the result.
Indian airlines saw their domestic traffic rise 3.6 per cent, up from 1.9 per cent in September, supported by the start of the main tourist season. Growth remains well below 2018 levels, however, reflecting the general economic slowdown and the impact of the collapse of Jet Airways.
The bottom line
“The airline industry has faced strong headwinds in 2019 but continues to enable the global connectivity that supports world trade and greater understanding among peoples and cultures, things we can use more of, particularly in this time of trade wars and geopolitical tension. Next week, IATA will hold our annual Global Media Days, bringing together journalists and bloggers from around the world. We will present our updated economic forecast and an in-depth look at our environmental activities among other subjects. I look forward to this opportunity to discuss and debate the key issues and initiatives facing commercial aviation with our colleagues in the media," said de Juniac.