Global air passenger demand for flights rose by 7.4% last month compared to March 2014.
This represented an improvement on February, when year-on-year growth was 6.4%, according to latest Iata figures.
Underlying traffic trends confirm demand remains “robust” with March capacity up by 5.6% and the load factor rising 1.3 percentage points to 80%.
Domestic markets experienced stronger growth than international markets, but both performed well.
Director general and chief executive Tony Tyler (pictured) said: “March traffic continues the trend of healthy demand for travel. We may, however, see a softening of demand in the second quarter.
“There are signs that regional trade activity in Asia-Pacific may be slowing and eurozone economic weakness continues to disappoint.”
He added: “The devastating earthquake in Nepal has gripped the world’s attention. It also has highlighted aviation’s vital role. Airlines help transport the responders who perform their heroic efforts in bringing food, medical supplies and equipment to those in need. All our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this disaster and to those who are working around the clock to deliver hope and aid.”
Iata holds its 71st Annual General Meeting in Miami on June 7-9.
Tyler said: “The United States is the world’s largest market and among its most vibrant economies, in part owing to the enormous contribution made by aviation.
“In the US, aviation supports some 5.7 million jobs and nearly $562 billion in GDP.
“Our message is that aviation can play an even bigger role, but only if governments understand that aviation’s greatest contribution is in the value creation it enables, not in the taxes and fees that can be extracted from it.”