IATA By The Numbers

IATA reports that global passenger traffic data for August 2018 shows that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) climbed 6.4% compared to the year-ago period.

This was slightly above the 6.1% annual increase for July. August capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 5.5%, and load factor climbed 0.7% percentage point to 85.3%, which was the highest for any month since at least 1990.

Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, commented: “The industry experienced continued strong traffic growth in August, putting the cap on a very good peak travel season. The all-time record load factor reflects that airlines are maximizing the efficiency of their assets at a time of rising fuel prices and other costs that are limiting the opportunities for low fare stimulation.”

And he noted: “Aviation is the business of freedom, reuniting friends and families and connecting businesses to markets. To preserve that freedom, air links need to be maintained. For that reason, it is absolutely critical that UK and EU aviation negotiators achieve a post-Brexit agreement.”

IATA’s de Juniac pointed out that: “It is not just about permission for flights to take off and land. Everything from pilots’ licenses to security arrangements, and much more besides, needs to be agreed upon. Mutual recognition of existing standards can address much of this, but we cannot wait until the eleventh hour. An assumption that ‘it will be all right on the night’ reveals little understanding of the complexities involved. Preparations should be made for every contingency, in an environment of far greater transparency than we have seen to date.”

Go to www.iata.org for more.