International passenger traffic up 3.8% in Mar-2011: IATA

IATA reports (03-May-2011) the following total international traffic growth by region in Mar-2011:

• Passenger traffic (RPKs): +3.8% year-on-year;
  • Africa: -7.0%;
  • Asia Pacific: stable;
  • Europe: +5.3%;
  • Latin America: +22.2%;
  • Middle East: +5.6%;
  • North America: +3.7%;
• Passenger load factor: 74.6%;
  • Africa: 62.7%;
  • Asia Pacific: 74.2%;
  • Europe: 75.3%;
  • Latin America: 77%;
  • Middle East: 73.2%;
  • North America: 76.9%;
• Cargo traffic (FTKs): +3.7%;
  • Africa: -2.8%;
  • Asia Pacific: -0.6%;
  • Europe: +6.1%;
  • Latin America: +10.4%;
  • Middle East: +10.1%;
  • North America: +7.1%. [more]

IATA: "Growth in other regions, such as Latin America, less affected by these disruptions, continued to show the strong upward momentum evident in emerging economies. Even with oil prices at USD120 a barrel most economists are still forecasting robust economic growth in most regions this year, albeit at a slower pace than last year. The second quarter of this year is likely to show air travel markets continuing to be depressed by the events in Japan and MENA, but the underlying upward momentum from economic growth should bring about a recovery towards trend growth rates in travel and freight markets in the second half of this year," Source: Company statement, 03-May-2011.