Passenger traffic up 4.5% in May-2012, cargo traffic down 1.9%: IATA

IATA reports (02-Jul-2012) the following traffic performance in May-2012:

• Passenger traffic (RPKs): +4.5% year-on-year;
  • International passenger traffic (RPKs): +5.6%;
    • Africa: +9.7%;
    • Asia-Pacific: +5.5%;
    • Europe: +4.1%;
    • Latin America: +7.4%;
    • Middle East: +15.8%;
    • North America: +1.5%.
• • Domestic passenger traffic (RPKs): +2.7%;
    • Australia: +2.5%;
    • Brazil: +7.2%;
    • China: +4.4%;
    • India: +0.1%;
    • Japan: +14.8%;
    • US: -0.1%.
• Passenger load factor: 77.6%;
  • International passenger load factor: 77%;
    • Africa: 62.9%;
    • Asia-Pacific: 75.4%;
    • Europe: 78.5%;
    • Latin America: 77.1%;
    • Middle East: 74%;
    • North America: 82.1%.
• • Domestic passenger load factor: 78.8%;
    • Australia: 74.4%;
    • Brazil: 65%;
    • China: 78.6%;
    • India: 76.8%;
    • Japan: 58.4%;
    • US: 84.3%.
• Cargo traffic (FTKs): -1.9%;
  • International cargo traffic (FTKs): -2.2%;
    • Africa: n/a;
    • Asia Pacific: -4.9%;
    • Europe: -5.9%;
    • Latin America: +0.6%;
    • Middle East: +12.5%;
    • North America: -1.9%.
  • Domestic cargo traffic (FTKs): stable. [more - original PR]

IATA: "Recent renewed weakness in business and consumer confidence is likely to undermine both air travel and freight volumes in the coming months. Softer demand and weaker passenger load factors will dilute the benefits to airline profits arising from the recent falls in fuel prices during the second quarter," Source: IATA, 02-Jul-2012.