Global airline passenger traffic rose 5.9 per cent in 2011 over 2010, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement yesterday. Growth in demand lagged capacity increases at 6.3 per cent, putting downward pressure on load factors.
The average passenger load factor for 2011 was 78.1 per cent, down from 78.3 per cent in 2010. “Given the weak conditions in Western economies the passenger market held up well in 2011. But overall, 2011 was a year of contrasts. Healthy passenger growth, primarily in the first half of the year, was offset by a declining cargo market. Optimism in China contrasted with gloom in Europe. Ironically, the weak Euro supported business travel demand. But Europe's primarily tax and restrict approach to aviation policy left the continent's carriers with the weakest profitability among the industry's major regions. Cautious improving business confidence is good news. But 2012 is still going to be a tough year,” said Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO, IATA. Passenger demand for December rose 5.4 per cent compared to the same month in 2010. Comparisons with December 2010 are also distorted as severe winter weather in Europe and North America as well as strikes in Europe suppressed demand. December 2011 passenger demand was up just 0.7 per cent over November while the load factor declined 0.2 percentage points.
Click here to see the original article>The average passenger load factor for 2011 was 78.1 per cent, down from 78.3 per cent in 2010. “Given the weak conditions in Western economies the passenger market held up well in 2011. But overall, 2011 was a year of contrasts. Healthy passenger growth, primarily in the first half of the year, was offset by a declining cargo market. Optimism in China contrasted with gloom in Europe. Ironically, the weak Euro supported business travel demand. But Europe's primarily tax and restrict approach to aviation policy left the continent's carriers with the weakest profitability among the industry's major regions. Cautious improving business confidence is good news. But 2012 is still going to be a tough year,” said Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO, IATA. Passenger demand for December rose 5.4 per cent compared to the same month in 2010. Comparisons with December 2010 are also distorted as severe winter weather in Europe and North America as well as strikes in Europe suppressed demand. December 2011 passenger demand was up just 0.7 per cent over November while the load factor declined 0.2 percentage points.