Global airline passenger demand tailed off in July over the previous month, new figures reveal.
Total revenue passenger kilometres rose 6.8% over the same month last year but were down from the 7.7% growth recorded in June, according to the latest Iata statistics.
A record high load factor in July showed that the appetite for air travel remains very strong, said Iata director general and chief executive, Alexandre de Juniac.
“However, the stimulus effect of lower fares is softening in the face of rising cost inputs. This suggests a moderating in the supportive demand backdrop,” he added.
“As the first full month in the summer peak travel season, July is a bellwether month, and demand continues to be very strong.
“People want to travel and aviation connectivity is vital to the smooth functioning of the global economy.
“But the economic and social benefits that aviation brings need to be supported by adequate, affordable airport and air traffic management infrastructure.
“To do this effectively, governments must include aviation’s requirements as part of their national economic strategy.”
European carriers posted a 7.5% rise in traffic for July compared to a year ago, down from 8.8% annual growth in June.
Capacity rose 5.9% and the load factor climbed 1.3 percentage points to 88.7%, highest among all regions.
The economic backdrop in Europe has strengthened. But on a seasonally-adjusted basis, the upward growth in travel demand has moderated sharply since February, the Iata data shows.
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