ICAO: Strong passenger results and a rebound for freight traffic in 2014

ICAO reported (18-Dec-2014) around 3.2 billion passengers used air transport for their business and tourism needs in 2014, up 5% year-on-year and is expected to reach more than 6.4 billion by 2030.

• Passenger numbers: 3.2 billion, +5% year-on-year;
• Passenger traffic (RPKs): +5.9%;
• • Middle East: +12.8%;
  • Latin America and Caribbean: +5.9%;
  • Africa: +1.5%;
  • Domestic: +5.1%;
  • • Asia Pacific: +7.9%;
  • International: +6.3%;
  • • Europe: +5.7%;
    • Asia Pacific: +5.8%;
    • North America: +3.1%;
    • Middle East: 13.4%;
    • Latin America/Caribbean: +6.2%;
    • Africa: +1.7%;
• Passenger traffic (RPKs) share:
• • Asia Pacific: 31%;
  • Europe: 27%;
  • North America: 25%;
  • Middle East: 9%;
• Cargo traffic: +4.6%;
• Aircraft departures: 33 million. [more - original PR]

The industry body noted that the world's major aircraft manufacturers will have delivered approximately 1000 new commercial aircraft by the end of 2014, with orders recorded for over 2000 more.