IATA welcomes August passenger growth

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The International Air Transport Association has reported preliminary passenger numbers for August down 0.3% on the same month last year

The International Air Transport Association has reported preliminary global passenger numbers for August down 0.3% on the same month last year. The figures are an improvement on July's results?3.6% down from last year?and go towards countering a year-to-date traffic decline of 5.7%. IATA predicted that annual international passenger numbers will be approximately 1% lower than 2002 if the climate remains stable.

Europe (4.4%), South America (8.2%), Africa (1.6%) and the Middle East (18.7%) all recorded year-on-year growth, while declines in North America (-6.5%) and Asia/Pacific (-4.6%) were less severe than in previous months.

Said IATA director-general and ceo Giovanni Bisignani: "August figures confirm the positive recovery trend of June and July, with international passenger traffic increasing in all regions. This is encouraging news for our beleaguered industry."