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August saw a “slight” pick-up in demand for global passenger traffic over the previous month, latest Iata figures show.
However, the airline trade body cautioned that the continuing Ebola crisis in west Africa took on a new dimension with the first confirmed diagnosis of the virus in the US.
Iata is closely co-ordinating with the World Health Organisation, which evaluates the risk of Ebola transmission occurring on an aircraft as “very low.”
The WHO also continues to recommend against travel restrictions and border closures.
Iata director general and chief executive Tony Tyler said: “The airline industry is taking its guidance from the WHO and public health authorities to keep flying safe for passengers and crew.
“Travellers should be reassured. WHO has clearly said that the risk of Ebola transmission on board an aircraft is very low. Moreover, WHO is not advising any restrictions on travel.”
Total revenue passenger kilometers increased 5.9% last month compared to August 2013, which was above the 5.4% year-on-year increase recorded in July. August capacity climbed 5.5% and the load factor stood at 83.9% – a 0.3 percentage point rise over the same month last year.
“August was a good month right across the industry. All regions reported an expansion in demand for air travel. And load factors were high, reflecting the fact that August is peak travel season in the Northern hemisphere,” Tyler said.
“We should, however, keep an eye on potential downside risks. European travel, for example, continues to show robust growth. The 6.1% year-to-date expansion in demand reflects a solid step up from the 3.8% growth recorded in 2013.
“But it remains a question how long the robust trend in passenger travel can continue in light of the continent’s increasingly worrying economic outlook.”