IT HAS BEEN AN UP AND DOWN YEAR for international air travel.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in its latest global passenger traffic report, said up to June there was a 5.7 per cent increase in demand compared to June 2014.
However, it added that “this was a slowdown compared to the 6.9 per cent year-over-year growth recorded in May. This was partly attributable to the timing of Ramadan, “which depressed travel demand in the Middle East”, IATA said.
“June capacity climbed six per cent, and load factor dipped 0.2 percentage points to 81.1 per cent. June was another healthy month for demand for air connectivity, although slower trade activity in emerging Asia-Pacific markets and impact of the Greek debt crisis on European travel remain worrisome,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and chief executive officer.
Noting that it was reporting midway through the peak summer travel season in the Northern Hemisphere, Tyler said “demand for connectivity remains high”.
He also noted that the industry continued to be negatively impacted by government policies, including taxation.
“Tourism is the life blood of many economies and much of it arrives by air. Unfortunately, too often governments appear not to realise this, burdening airlines and travealers with high fees and taxes. The short term financial benefit comes at the long term expense of the economy,” he said.
“The French government’s decision to allow annual charges increases at Paris’s two airports between 2016 and 2020 is the latest example – incredible for a country where tourism and global business play such big economic roles. Dialoge between industry and government is critical to finding win-win solutions.
“Aviaton has much to contribute to any country’s economy. But it will not happen by accident. The peak travel season should serve as a reminder to all governments of the importance of aviation policies focused on enabling aviation to catalyse economic growth,” Tyler added. (SC)
