The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced healthy but moderating global passenger traffic results for November 2018, with the Middle East showing growth, albeit slow.
Total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rose 6.2% compared to November 2017, a slight deceleration from 6.3% growth in October.
Capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 6.8% over the year-ago period, and load factor dipped 0.4 percentage point to 80.0%.
It was only the third time in two years that load factor fell on a year-to-year basis.
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Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said: “Traffic is solid. But there are clear signs that growth is moderating in line with the slowing global economy.
“We still expect 6% demand growth this year. But trade tensions, protective tariffs and Brexit are all uncertainties that overhang the industry.”
November international passenger demand rose 6.6% compared to the year earlier period, up from 6.2% in October.
All regions showed growth, led by carriers in Europe.
Total capacity climbed 6.7%, and load factor dipped 0.1 percentage point to 78.4%.
Middle East carriers had a 2.8% demand increase, which was the lowest among the regions for a third consecutive month.
Capacity rose 5.6% and load factor slipped 1.9 percentage points to 69.0%.
Read more: Middle East Air Cargo Sees November Boost