IATA Reports Uptick in February Passenger Traffic

The International Air Transport Association has announced global passenger traffic results for February showing a rebound in traffic growth following the slower demand experienced in January.

The January slowdown was owing to temporary factors, including the later timing of the Lunar New Year in 2018, the organization said.

Total revenue passenger kilometers for February rose 7.6 percent compared to February 2017, up from 4.6 percent year-over-year growth in January.

Monthly capacity (measured in available seat kilometers) increased by 6.3 percent, and load factor rose 0.9 percentage point to 80.4 percent, surpassing the previous record for the month of 79.5 percent, which was set in February 2017.

Led by airlines in Latin America, all regions recorded better year-on-year growth compared to January’s results.

Total capacity climbed 5.9 percent, and load factor rose one percentage point to 79.3 percent.

European carriers saw February demand increase by 6.8 percent compared to a year ago, a modest acceleration compared to a six percent increase in January.

Passenger volumes are trending upwards at a double-digit annualized rate alongside supportive economic conditions in the region.

Capacity rose five percent and load factor increased 1.4 percentage points to 82.2 percent, highest among regions.