NAN-H-43
IATA
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, April 6, 2017 (NAN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic results for February showing a second month of strong demand growth in 2017.
The Geneva-based apex global aviation body said total Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) rose 4.8 per cent compared to the same month last year.
A statement from IATA, quoted its Director General, Mr Alexandre de Juniac, as saying that although this was below growth achieved in January, year-to-year comparisons was distorted because February 2016 was a leap month.
He said adjusting for the one fewer day this year, the underlying growth rate was put at 8.6 per cent, just under January’s increase of 8.9 per cent.
According to him, monthly capacity of Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs), increased by 2.7 per cent , and load factor rose 1.6 percentage points to 79.5 per cent which was the highest ever recorded for February.
“The strong demand momentum from January has continued, supported by lower fares and a healthier economic backdrop.
‘’Although we remained concerned over the impact of any travel restrictions or closing of borders, we have not seen the attempted US ban on travel from six countries translate into an identifiable traffic trend.
‘’Overall travel demand continues to grow at a robust rate,’’ de Juniac said.
He said IATA estimates that allowing for inflation, the price of air travel has fallen by more than 10 per cent in real terms over the past year, accounting for more than half the growth in RPKs in early 2017.
The IATA boss said African airlines continued their recovery, with February traffic up 7.1 per cent compared to a year ago.
“This mainly reflects the upturn on the key route to and from Europe, offsetting struggles in the region’s biggest economies of Nigeria and South Africa.
“Capacity rose to 2.3 per cent and load factor jumped 2.9 percentage points to 66.0 per cent,’’ de Juniac noted.
He said that the year had opened with some shocks—the attempted ban on travel to the US by citizens of six countries and the restrictions on the carry-on of large electronic items from certain airports in the Middle East and North Africa on direct flights to the US and the UK.
De Juniac said the potential implications of the Brexit talks on the air transport industry were significant and the political rhetoric of protectionism and closing of borders is adding to the ambiguity.
“It is intolerable that governments continue to add to the uncertainties facing the air transport industry by failing to engage airline operational expertise on issues that can damage public confidence.
“The introduction of restrictions on the carry-on of large electronic devices was a missed opportunity and the result was a measure that cannot stand-up to the scrutiny of public confidence in the long term.
“Although Australia’s measures were also implemented without consulting the industry, they at least demonstrate the potential to mitigate the threat with less disruptive means.
“We all want to keep flying secure; and we can do that most effectively by working together,’’ de Juniac said.
He said that states needed to support the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as it develops a Global Aviation Security Plan. (NAN)
ASO/ AOM/IS
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Ismail Abdulaziz