Asia drives better-than-expected recovery in air travel

Thursday, 29th July 2010

IATA, the International Air Travel Association, reported positive figures on international air travel Wednesday. IATA said international air travel expanded at a better rate than expected in June, thanks to travel growth in Asia. Europe, meanwhile, lagged behind Asia and continued to show a weak performance.

Passenger volumes overall were back to levels between one and two per cent above the pre-recession high recorded in the first three months of 2008. Globally, passenger air travel was up 12.9 per cent, compared to June last year. In the Asia-Pacific region, passenger numbers were up by 15.5 per cent. Europe, on the other hand, lagged behind the growth recorded in both Asia and around the world, showing an increase of just 7.8 per cent.

The growth in Asia was driven largely by China. Elsewhere, all regions outside Europe recorded double-digit growth. Africa saw passenger numbers expand by a heady 21 per cent, which was attributed to the World Cup held in South Africa. In the Middle East, travel between the region’s hubs and both Europe and Asia led to a handy 18-pre-cent rise in traffic. North America saw international air travel rise by 10.8 per cent. IATA cautions that the growth enjoyed since last year could well fade later in the year, as the effects of government stimulus packages start to wane.

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