Global passenger traffic demand for August was up 4.6 percent, but shows a slowing from July’s rise of 6.4 percent, IATA said in its monthly traffic data statement.
Capacity for the month (in available seat kilometres) rose by 5.8 percent, which saw overall load factor dropping 0.9 percentage points to 83.8 percent.
“The lingering impact of terrorist attacks in Europe earlier in the year reminds us that the aviation industry is vulnerable to many external factors beyond its control,” said IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac.
“The risks — including the normal ups and downs of the business cycle — won’t go away. The industry has improved resilience… That will be critical to responding quickly should the business environment change," de Juniac added.
Middle Eastern carriers led the traffic demand increase with a lift of 10.3 percent in international revenue passenger kilometres.
Asia Pacific was the other with a 7.8 percent increase. Other regions posted smaller rises.