Traffic Demand Strong Despite Economic Uncertainty

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released traffic results for September 2007.

International air freight demand grew 5.0pct in September, down from 6.0pct in August, but still well above the weak levels of growth seen in the first half of 2007.
Growth for the year-to-date has improved to 4.0pct.

Asia Pacific (7.0pct ) continues to drive the global improvement. Demand rose 8.2pct in the Middle East after a sharp fall in August (3.5pct ), although below the double-digit levels seen over the last two years. Africa freight demand contracted by 10.4pct continuing a 5-month downturn due to a fall in demand in southern Africa.

“Traffic demand remains strong despite the financial instability seen in recent months,” said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA. “But it is still early days. Corporations—particularly the financial service sector—adjusting travel budgets could impact premium traffic. And fuel prices rising to new record levels will add more pressure on efficiency. So there can be no let-up in the imperative to keep costs down and planes full.”