Air passenger numbers continue to climb
International air travel rose more than 7% last month compared to a year ago, outstripping a 4.3% increase in capacity.
Figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that overall, air travel worldwide was up 6.1% in April, which was above the 20-year trend, pushing load factors to 79.3%, a rise of 2.3 percentage points.
"Despite continuing economic weakness in some parts of the world, demand for air travel continues to grow," said IATA.
European airlines recorded a 5.9% increase in passenger numbers, which was lower than the 8.7% growth recorded in March but higher than the 3.4% capacity increase, which meant that airlines managed to fill four out of five seats.
However, IATA sounded a note of caution. "While this is a relatively strong performance compared to previous-year levels, since the beginning of the year, there has been a declining trend," it said. "April, for example, saw traffic contract by 0.3% compared to March—despite the Easter holiday period being in mid-April."
Middle East airlines saw the greatest growth, up 16% year on year, but this was less than the 20% rise in March, although figures were distorted by the impact of the Arab Spring in 2011.
IATA director-general Tony Tyler welcomed the figures but warned airlines would still struggle to make money.
"The growth in passenger markets is encouraging. But it comes against an environment of continuing high oil prices and growing economic uncertainty. So translating the stronger demand into profits will be difficult," he said.
"In the face of economic uncertainty, many airline managements will be going back to first principles—careful capacity management, cost control and conserving cash. This will be the order of the day until some clarity comes to the global economic outlook. Of course the uncertainty impacts the whole value chain. We are all in this together. Airlines will be particularly looking to their industry partners to share the imperative on cost control."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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