Image via Shutterstock
The Greek debt crisis and weakening trade in Asia Pacific could both dampen air travel growth, Iata warned today.
Total revenue passenger kilometers rose 6.9% in May, against the April year-on-year increase of 5.7%, according to the airline trade body.
May capacity increased by 6.5%, and load factor rose 0.3 percentage points to 79.3%.
Iata director general and chief executive, Tony Tyler, said: “May results confirm that demand for connectivity remains robust, but there are possible storm clouds forming on the horizon.
“The financial crisis in Greece and recent weakness in regional trade activity in Asia-Pacific have the potential to dampen performance in these markets in the coming months.”
He added: “As we enter the busy summer travel season in the northern hemisphere, many millions of people will rely on aviation to explore the world or re-connect with friends and family.
“The mobility that is taken for granted by these travellers is the result of the efforts of 2.5 million air transport professionals working in careful co-operation to ensure safe journeys.
“It will also be clear that in many cases the infrastructure is insufficient to meet demand.
“Delays and crowded airports should send strong signals to government leaders to address critical choke points, implement risk-based security and advance much needed air traffic management modernization in many parts of the world.”