Global passenger traffic hit a record total for February – but the international airline trade association has flagged concerns about falls in the US market.
Figures from the International Air Transport Association (Iata) show that total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 2.6% compared to February 2024.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 2% year-on-year.
Willie Walsh, Iata director-general, said: “While traffic growth slowed in February, much of this can be explained by factors including the leap year, and lunar new year falling in January compared to February last year.
“February traffic hit an all-time high, and the number of scheduled flights is set to continue increasing in March and April.
“But we need to keep a close eye on developments in North America, which saw falls in both domestic and international traffic.”
International demand rose 5.6% compared to February 2024, while capacity was up 4.5% year-on-year.
North American carriers saw a 1.5% year-on-year fall in international demand, while capacity decreased 3.2% year. Meanwhile, there was a 4.2% decline in domestic US traffic, noted Iata.
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Walsh also reiterated the need for reform of the EU261 regulation which provides minimum rights for passengers when their flight is delayed or cancelled.
His comments followed the closure of Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, following a fire at an off-site electricity substation on March 21.
“The recent shutdown of Heathrow reminded us once again that the current passenger rights regime in place in Europe and the UK is not fit for purpose,” he said.
“The annual costs of compensation, care and assistance run into the billions.
“Thankfully, the Polish presidency of the EU has recognised that this is a drag on European competitiveness and is progressing much-needed and long-anticipated reforms to EU261.
“While many of the proposed reforms are sensible, the package stops short of a real solution.
“Even with the reforms, EU261 will still target the airlines with penalties even if the root cause of delays is an infrastructure incident out of their control – like we saw at Heathrow.
“Over two decades of EU261 have not seen a reduction in delays because infrastructure providers have no incentive to improve their game.
“Sadly for European travellers, we are likely to see this play out again in this summer’s peak travel season.
“Genuine reform of EU261 must ensure that all parties responsible for delays have a stake in the consequences.”
Pictured: Heathrow.
More: Iata director demands reform of EU 261 compensation rule [June 2023]