had a bumper peak summer period, but Iata issues autumn warning. Phil Davies reports
Iata boss warns of an ‘unsettled’ autumn for sector
Global airlines reported ‘robust’ growth in demand for both domestic and international travel in July, but the sector faces possible autumn turbulence.
Total revenue passenger kilometres rose 8.2% in July on the same month in 2014, and followed a year-on-year increase of 5.5% in June, according to latest Iata figures. July capacity increased by
6.5%, and load factor rose 1.4 percentage points to 83.6%. The results were given a boost
by the timing of Ramadan, which fell only partly in July this year, but was predominantly in July in 2014. The holy month tends to subdue demand for air travel. However, Iata’s director general
“While passenger demand is healthy, air cargo growth turned negative in July”
and chief executive, Tony Tyler, issued a note of caution, saying: “July results were strongly positive but slowing global trade and the wild gyrations of stock exchanges around the globe suggest that we may be in for some turbulence in the coming months. “Following a strong summer, the outlook heading into autumn is unsettled, to say the least. While passenger demand remains healthy, air cargo growth turned negative in July.
TONY TYLER: ‘We may be in for turbulence in the coming months’
“The downward movement in
stock markets around the globe reflects investors’ growing concerns about slowing trade and economic growth in emerging economies, as well as China’s continued shift towards domestic markets. “Aviation’s connectivity creates economic opportunities and contributes to job creation. “Governments looking to shore
up consumer confidence and boost spending should encourage greater connectivity by removing barriers to growth such as heavy taxes and charges, and infrastructure constraints,” said Tyler.
IAG traffic rises despite North American fall
International Airlines Group enjoyed a 12% rise in August passenger numbers to 9.1 million. The parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling recorded an 8.7% increase in premium traffic for the month compared with August 2014. Group traffic in August, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, increased by 8.6% year on year, outstripping increased capacity of 6.1%. All regions posted a rise in passenger numbers
with the exception of North American routes, which dropped by 0.7% as capacity was trimmed by 2.1%. Europe recorded an 18.7% rise in carryings to
4.8 million, while Latin America and the Caribbean were up by 17.7% to 425,000. August passenger numbers for IAG-owned Aer Lingus rose by 5.3% to 1.27 million. Long-haul carryings were up by 16.9% to 173,000 while
short-haul traffic increased by 5.7% to 965,000. But numbers flown by Aer Lingus Regional, the Irish carrier’s regional arm, dropped by 9% to 131,000. Aer Lingus’s overall carryings for the year to August rose 0.9% to 7.7 million.
Wizz Air passenger numbers soar 19%
Wizz Air’s passenger carryings in August increased year on year by 19% to almost two million. The central and eastern
European no-frills carrier’s load factor increased by one percentage point to 93.2%. The August figures contributed
to a rolling annual total of almost 18 million passengers – 20% higher than in 2014.
10 September 2015
travelweekly.co.uk 87
Norwegian’s load factors increase six points to 97%
Increased long-haul passenger numbers and holidaymakers from the UK and Europe buoyed low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle in August. Total passenger numbers rose
by 9% to more than 2.5 million, compared with August 2014. Load factors increased by 6.1
percentage points to 89.7%, with 97% of long-haul seats occupied during the month. Chief executive Bjorn Kjos
said: “I’m very pleased that an increasing number of customers in the UK, Germany, Spain and the US choose Norwegian’s high- quality flights at affordable fares. “It proves that the company
is even better equipped to meet the tough international competition going forward.”
NORWEGIAN: August passenger numbers exceeded 2.5 million
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