Middle East carriers’ traffic jumped 10.7 per cent in March, much improved from the 4.1 per cent year-over-year increase recorded in February, reflecting healthy growth in the market between the Middle East and Asia.

According to figures released by the International Air Transport Association (Iata), demand also showed signs of stabilisation on Middle East to North America routes, following the disruption caused in the first half of 2017 by the now-lifted ban on large portable electronic devices, as well as a wider impact stemming from the proposed travel restrictions to the US. Capacity increased 4.3 per cent, and load factor jumped 4.4 percentage points to 76.7 per cent.

Latin American airlines registered the largest increase among the regions for a third month in a row, posting an 11.8 per cent increase in traffic in March, followed closely by Asia-Pacific airlines (up 11.6 per cent), African airlines (up 11.2 per cent), Middle East carriers (up 10.7 per cent), European carriers (up 9.8 per cent) and North American airlines (up 9.5 per cent).

Overall, March international passenger demand rose 10.6 per cent compared to March 2017, which was up from 7.4 per cent year-over-year growth recorded in February. Total capacity climbed 6.6 per cent, and load factor improved 2.9 percentage points to 81.5 per cent.

Domestic demand rose 7.8 per cent in March, which was a slight deceleration from 8.2 per cent growth recorded in February, driven primarily by developments in the US market. Domestic capacity climbed 6.2 per cent, and load factor lifted 1.3 percentage points to 84.0 per cent.

According to the Iata global passenger traffic results for March, demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometres, or RPKs) rose 9.5 per cent compared to the same month a year ago, the fastest pace in 12 months. Capacity (available seat kilometres, or ASKs) grew 6.4 per cent and load factor climbed 2.3 percentage points to 82.4 per cent, which set a record for the month, following on the record set in February.

"Demand for air travel remains strong, supported by the comparatively healthy economic backdrop and business confidence levels. But rising cost inputs—particularly fuel prices—suggest that any demand boosts from lower fares will moderate going into the second quarter," said Alexandre de Juniac, Iata’s director general and CEO. - TradeArabia News Service