Decline In Global Air Travel ‘Begins To Slow’
August 20, 2009 | Air Travel, Airline Industry, Aviation
There are signs that the fall in the number of global air passengers is beginning to stabilise.
Figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicate that the economic situation which has crippled the airline industry could be easing.
According to the group, year-on-year falls in air passenger numbers dropped to 7.1 per cent in June – a marked improvement on the 9.2 per cent fall seen in May.
“Passenger travel numbers in June are now indicating some stabilisation in air travel demand,” the IATA stated in its monthly Premium Traffic Monitor.
Economy bookings enjoyed the highest proportional fall – declining by just 5.5 per cent against a 7.6 per cent in May – while premium traffic also stabilised. Demand for first and business class seats was down 21.3 per cent in June, compared with 23.6 per cent in May.
Indicating that the worst of the downturn could be over, the IATA said: “Adjusting for seasonal fluctuations, passenger numbers were broadly unchanged in June compared with levels in May.”
Earlier this year the industry group had given a glum assessment of the sector, warning that debt-laden consumers will curtail spending even after the recession ends. IATA Chief Economist Brian Pearce said: “The speed of the recovery is going to be a lot slower than in the past.”
But many airlines appear to be weathering the downturn, with reports suggesting that no-frills carriers have succeeded in poaching market share from full-service competitors.
