IATA: Africa records 5.1% rise in Dec traffic

 African airlines saw January traffic rise 5.1 per cent, up from 3.8 per cent last December according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its global passenger traffic results for January 2019.

The global passenger traffic results for January 2019 shows traffic (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 6.5 per cent compared to January 2018. This was the fastest growth in six months. January capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) rose 6.4 per cent, and load factor inched up 0.1 percentage point to 79.6 per cent.

However, concerns continue about the region’s largest economies, South Africa and Nigeria region-wide, with capacity rising to 2.9 per cent, and average load factors jumped 1.5 percentage points to 70.9 per cent.
2019 has started on a positive note, with healthy passenger demand in line with the 10-year trend line.

However, market signals are mixed, with indications of weakening business confidence in developed economies and a more nuanced picture across the developing world,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

European carriers’ international traffic climbed 7.7 per cent last January compared to the year-ago period, down from an 8.6 per cent annual increase in December.
This moderation likely reflects uncertainty over the region’s economic situation, including lack of clarity over Brexit. Capacity rose 8.8 per cent and load factor fell 0.9 percentage point to 80.3 per cent.

North American airlines experienced a 4.7 per cent traffic rise over a year ago, improving from a 3.7 per cent annual rise the month before, while capacity climbed 3.5 per cent and load factor increased 1.0 percentage point to 80.6 per cent.

Demand is being supported by comparatively strong economic conditions, which have delivered a low unemployment rate and bolstered consumer spending, said IATA.