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Louis Ibah
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), has announced global passenger traffic results for January 2019 showing that traffic (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 6.5 per cent for airlines 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.
IATA stated this in a statement by its Director General/CEO, Mr.Alexandre de Juniac. According to de Juniac, African airlines experienced a 5.1per cent traffic rise in January 2019 up from the 3.8 per cent recorded in December in 2018.
“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 de Juniac.
“African airlines saw January traffic rise 5.1 per cent, up from 3.8 per cent in December. Concerns continue about the region’s largest economies, South Africa and Nigeria, however. The region’s capacity rose 2.9 per cent, and load factor jumped 1.5 percentage points to 70.9 per cent.
“African carriers saw freight demand increase by 1.0 per cent in January 2019, compared to the same month in 2018. Capacity grew 8.2 per cent Year-on-Year.
“Seasonally-adjusted air cargo demand has now trended upwards for six months. And while seasonally-adjusted international freight volumes are lower than their peak in mid-2017, they are still 35 per cent higher than their most recent trough in late-2015,” he added.
