(GENEVA) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced traffic results for the first half of 2005 (January to June) showing 8.8% growth in international passenger traffic and 3.4% growth for international freight.
"The story for the first half of the year is cargo. Compared to 13.2% growth for the first half of 2004, the 3.4% freight growth for the same period in 2005 indicates that extra-ordinary fuel prices are softening international trade," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO. With 40% of the value of goods traded internationally being transported as air cargo, cargo traffic is a leading economic indicator. Cargo experienced negative growth in both February and May of this year.
On the passenger side, half-year traffic growth of 8.8% was lead by carriers from the Middle East, Latin America and North America that showed half-year growth of 15.0%, 13.1% and 11.1% respectively. Passenger load factors remain at extremely high levels. Averages for the first half of 2005 are 74.0% (a full percentage point above the 73.0% recorded for the same period in 2004), while June posted 76.6% (compared to 75.6% for June 2004). North American carriers recorded an average load factor for June of 83.9%.
The second half of the year started with tragic terrorist incidents in travel hubs and major tourist destinations in the UK, Turkey and Egypt. "The air transport industry remains vigilant at a heightened level of security. Passengers should be re-assured that the air transport network is more secure than ever. The system could be even more effective if governments took leadership to better coordinate security measures across boarders. Security does not have to be inconvenient to be effective. The events of the past month should be a clarion call for governments to work more closely with each other and industry partners to keep travel secure," said Bisignani.
| June2005 over June 2004 | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | PLF | FTK Growth | ATK Growth |
| Africa | 11.2% | 11.3% | 63.2 | 10.9% | 13.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia/Pacific | 7.4% | 6.7% | 73.9 | 3.8% | 6.1% |
| Europe | 6.6% | 4.5% | 78.4 | 0.2% | 3.6% |
| Latin America | 12.4% | 11.1% | 70.6 | -5.6% | 5.4% |
| Middle East | 14.8% | 10.3% | 71.0 | 13.9% | 13.3% |
| North America | 9.7% | 9.5% | 83.9 | 1.8% | 8.1% |
| Industry | 8.3% | 7.0% | 76.6 | 2.9% | 6.3% |
Year to Date - 2005 over 2004 | RPK Growth | ASK Growth | PLF | FTK Growth | ATK Growth |
| Africa | 11.6% | 8.4% | 67.5 | 10.9% | 10.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia/Pacific | 8.1% | 7.0% | 71.9 | 4.4% | 7.5% |
| Europe | 6.3% | 4.9% | 74.7 | 2.2% | 5.2% |
| Latin America | 13.1% | 12.6% | 71.2 | -2.9% | 8.5% |
| Middle East | 15.0% | 12.4% | 71.3 | 12.9% | 13.9% |
| North America | 11.1% | 9.8% | 79.1 | 0.1% | 7.2% |
| Industry | 8.8% | 7.4% | 74.0 | 3.4% | 7.2% |
Editors Notes:
- IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents 265 airlines comprising 94% of international scheduled air traffic.
- The IATA Billing and Settlement Plan operates in 71 countries for 390 airline and non-airline participants covering 150 countries and territories.
- Explanation of measurements:
RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometres measures actual passenger traffic
ASK: Available Seat Kilometres measures available passenger capacity
PLF: Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used. In comparison of 2004 to 2003, PLF indicates point differential between the periods compared.
FTK: Freight Tonne Kilometres measures actual freight traffic
ATK: Available Tonne Kilometres measures available total capacity (combined passenger and cargo) - IATA statistics cover international scheduled air traffic; domestic traffic is not included.
- All figures are provisional and represent total reporting at time of publication plus estimates for missing data.
- Due to uncertainties in the adoption of the new ICAO statistical definitions by reporting carriers, care should be taken when making year comparisons.