Total revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose by 5.3 percent in February 2019 when compared with the same month a year ago, according to IATA data. This was the slowest rate of growth in more than a year but still in line with long-term demand trends.
Available seat kilometres (ASKs) increased by 5.4 percent, and load factor slipped 0.1 percentage point to 80.6 percent, which is still high by historic standards.
“After January’s strong performance, we settled down a bit in February, in line with concerns about the broader economic outlook,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and chief executive.
“Continuing trade tensions between the US and China, and unresolved uncertainty over Brexit are also weighing on the outlook for travel.”
International passenger demand rose 4.6 percent in February, which was a slowdown from 5.9 percent growth in January. Capacity climbed 5.1 percent, and load factor dropped 0.4 percentage points to 79.5 percent.
European carriers showed the strongest performance for a fifth consecutive month. Passenger demand increased by 7.6 percent, compared to a year ago, unchanged from January. IATA said Europe’s continuing strong performance provides a paradox given Brexit concerns and signs of a softer economic outlook. Capacity rose 8.0 percent and though load factor slid 0.3 percentage point to 82.3 percent, it was still was the highest among regions.
Asia-Pacific airlines’ February traffic rose 4.2 percent compared to the year-ago period, a substantial slowdown from the 7.2 percent increase recorded in January. The timing of the Lunar New Year holiday in the first week of February this year may have shifted some traffic to January. Capacity increased 4.7 percent and load factor dipped 0.3 percentage point to 81.0 percent.
Middle East carriers recorded a 0.8 percent traffic decline in February compared to a year ago, the only region to report a drop year-over-year. Capacity rose 2.9 percent and load factor fell 2.7 percentage points to 72.6 percent.
North American airlines’ traffic climbed 4.2 percent in February, a decline from 5.4 percent growth in January. Capacity rose 2.9 percent and load factor was up 1.0 percentage point to 79.0 percent.
Latin American airlines reported a traffic rise 4.3 percent compared to February 2018, a slippage from 5.4 percent annual growth in January. Capacity increased by 5.6 percent, and load factor dropped 1.0 percentage point to 81.4 percent.
African airlines experienced a 2.5 percent rise in traffic for the month compared to the year-ago period, down from 5.1 percent growth in January. Capacity rose 0.3 percent, and load factor climbed 1.5 percentage points to 69.7 percent.
Domestic travel demand rose 6.4 percent in February 2019 compared to February 2018, down from 7.4 percent annual growth in January. All markets except Australia reported increases in traffic, with India recording its 54th consecutive month of double-digit percentage growth. Domestic capacity climbed 5.8 percent, and load factor edged up 0.5 percentage point to 82.4 percent.
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