Dubai: Middle Eastern carriers continue to see the highest growth rate in both passenger and air freight markets this year with the region rising 18.6 per cent and 8.7 per cent, respectively, in April.
The region’s carriers outperformed all other regions in both segments in April when compared to the same month a year earlier, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
In the passenger market, Middle East airlines are benefiting from the strength of regional economies and in the cargo market from better conditions in advanced economies.
“April’s [passenger] demand growth was a pleasant surprise in the face of the moderating trend of recent months but it is not clear whether the acceleration in demand is sustainable in view of global economic trends including slower growth in China,” stated Tony Tyler, IATA’s director-general and chief executive officer.
The global international passenger market grew by 8.5 per cent while the air freight market grew by 3.2 per cent in April when compared to the same month a year earlier, as per the aviation watchdog’s estimates.
Global passenger figures rose 2.9 per cent when compared to March 2014. However, cargo experienced a reversal due to a slowdown in emerging markets
Likewise, the Middle East region had a lapse in cargo growth of minus 2.2 per cent when comparing April on March 2014.
While the Middle East cargo segment continues to grow off the back of trade from emerging markets, IATA stated that a slowdown in these economies, mostly China, is behind the drop in month-on-month growth.
“Trading conditions for air freight are difficult. Overall, business activity and trade have shifted down a gear after a strong end to 2013. And this is taking its toll on growth in the air cargo sector. Developed economies are still maintaining post-recession momentum and the expectation is for a stronger finish to the year,” Tyler stated.
