Dubai: Middle East passenger traffic saw the fastest global growth last month, rising 18 per cent compared to the same month last year, according to the traffic report by industry watchdog International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Middle East carriers have experienced swift recovery from the plunge in growth during the downturn and grew twice as fast as the nearest runner up.
During the first half, regional carriers grew 20 per cent. The second-highest growth occurred in the Asia Pacific region with 10.5 per cent.
"The industry continues to recover faster than expected, but with sharp regional differences. Europe is recovering at half the speed of Asia with passenger growth of 7.8 per cent compared to the 15.5 per cent growth in Asia-Pacific," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director-general and chief executive.
Compared to June 2009, international passenger demand was up 11.9 per cent while international scheduled freight traffic showed a 26.5 per cent improvement.
Growth trend
After a dip in April due to the volcanic ash crisis in Europe, international passenger demand has returned to its upward growth trend. Passenger volumes are now 1-2 per cent above the pre-recession peak in the first quarter of 2008.
Outside Europe, all regions reported double-digit growth in passenger traffic.
"The question is how long can the industry maintain the double-digit momentum. Business confidence remains high and there is no indication that the recovery will stall anytime soon. But, with government stimulus packages tailing off and restocking largely completed, we do expect some slowing over the months ahead," said Bisignani.
Capacity increased only slightly above demand improvements during the month, keeping load factors in line with historical highs at 79.8 per cent for passenger traffic and 53.8 per cent for freight.
International freight demand grew 26.5 per cent in June, down from the 34.0 per cent recorded in May. May was exceptionally high as some interrupted traffic from April's ash crisis shifted to May.
Volumes remain 6 per cent above the pre-recession peak in early 2008.
Freight demand continues to follow economic recovery and trade patterns with airlines in Asia-Pacific at 29.8 per cent, Middle East at 39.6 per cent, Latin America at 44.9 per cent and Africa at 54 per cent, growing the fastest.
