Air travel demand rebounded in September from the previous month in a demonstration of resilience following terrorist attacks, according to Iata.
Global passenger traffic rose by 7% year-on-year – the strongest increase in seven months.
The growth in domestic traffic slightly outpaced growth in international numbers.
Overall capacity climbed 6.6% and load factor edged up 0.3 percentage points to 81.1%.
Iata director general and chief executive Alexandre de Juniac said: “September’s growth in passenger demand was healthy. Importantly, this rebound from August weakness suggests that travel demand is showing its resilience in the aftermath of terror attacks.
“We must, of course, be ever-alert to the ongoing terror threat. And overall the industry is still vulnerable to being buffeted by rising geopolitical tensions, protectionist political agendas, and weak economic fundamentals.
“This will still be a good year for the airline industry’s performance, but our profitability will continue to be hard-won.”