International passenger traffic up 8.0% in May-2011 - IATA

IATA reports (30-Jun-2011) the following traffic growth in May-2011:

• Passenger traffic (RPKs): +6.8% year-on-year;
  • International passenger traffic (RPKs): +8.0%;
    • Africa: +1.1%;
    • Asia Pacific: +4.7%;
    • Europe: +10.9%;
    • Latin America: +21.3%;
    • Middle East: +7.8%;
    • North America: +4.5%;
• Passenger load factor: 77.1%;
  • International passenger load factor: 75.8%;
    • Africa: +64.1%;
    • Asia Pacific: 73.4%;
    • Europe: 77.7%;
    • Latin America: 76%;
    • Middle East: 70.8%;
    • North America: 81.8%;
• Cargo traffic (FTKs): -4.0%;
  • International cargo traffic (FTKs): -4.3%;
    • Africa: -7.4%;
    • Asia Pacific: -9.8%;
    • Europe: -2.0%;
    • Latin America: +1.4%;
    • Middle East: +8.2%;
    • North America: -1.2%;
  • Domestic passenger traffic (RPKs): 4.8%;
    • Australia: +6.3%;
    • Brazil: +21.6%;
    • China: +10.4%;
    • India:+13.8%;
    • Japan: -29.9%;
    • US: +4.0%;
  • Domestic passenger load factor: 79.4%;
    • Australia: 74.8%;
    • Brazil: 65.7%;
    • China: 81.5%;
    • India: 78.3%;
    • Japan: 54.7%;
    • US: 84.6%. [more]

IATA: "Air travel volumes rebounded to the trend, albeit around a very volatile monthly path, established since the end of Q3 last year. Seasonally-adjusted, the size of the air travel market in RPK terms was 4% higher in May than the end of last year, and 6.8% higher than May last year. Annualised growth in the recent trend has been close to 4%. If growth in the remaining seven months of the year carries on at that pace then average 2011 growth would be 5.9%. IATA's current forecast of 4.4% for 2011 anticipates slower growth in the trend during the second half of this year, due to slower economic growth and the impact of high fuel prices," Source: Company statement, 30-Jun-2011.