IATA traffic results improving

THE International Air Transport Association reported international scheduled traffic results for October 2009 showing improving conditions. Demand for international cargo rose to 0.5 per cent below previous year levels. This is significantly better than the 5.4 per cent year-on-year decline recorded in September. Load factors for cargo were at 54.1 per cent.October cargo capacity was 7.4 per cent below the previous year’s levels, helping to slow the erosion in yields.
Cargo capacity adjustments have come following many freighters being put into storage or retired, resulting in a fleet reduction of 4.9 per cent. In contrast, the passenger fleet continues to expand by 1.8 per cent as new deliveries more than offset those being stored or retired.
Cargo traffic now stands 14 per cent above the December 2008 low point, but remains 15 per cent below the early 2008 peak.
Compared to September 2009, seasonally adjusted cargo volumes rose by 2.5 per cent. Carriers in all regions experienced improved demand conditions in October compared to September.
European carriers saw the biggest weakness in demand with a fall of 11.3 per cent compared to October 2008 – relatively unchanged from the 13 per cent drop in September. The region’s carriers were also the most aggressive in adjusting capacity with a 12.4 per cent cut compared to previous year levels.
Middle Eastern carriers saw demand growth of 18.4 per cent. This is significantly better than the 3.6 per cent growth experienced in September and outpaced a capacity increase of 11.2 per cent.
North American carriers saw a 0.5 per cent growth in demand against a 12 per cent fall in capacity.
Latin American carriers recorded a 6.7 per cent growth, significantly higher than the 1.8 per cent in September.
Carriers in Asia-Pacific saw demand grow 1.9 per cent compared to -3.1 per cent in September. The region’s carriers have benefited from the airfreight generated by the earlier and stronger economic revival in the region, with industrial production now rising strongly in a number of economies.
African carriers saw demand decline 3.8 per cent, an improvement from the -6.9 per cent in September.