 |
| Passengers at O’Hare International Airport. Photo: Wikipedia |
[Avionics Today 12-04-2014] The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for October showing a strengthening in demand growth. Total Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) rose 5.7 percent over October 2013, slightly ahead of the 5.2 percent year-on-year rise recorded in September 2014.
Despite areas of economic weakness, October numbers reflect a strong growth across almost all regions, although IATA representatives remain cautious. “With 2014 drawing to a close, the outlook for air travel remains largely positive,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO. “Improvements in economies in Asia-Pacific and the U.S. are offsetting weakness in the Eurozone and China. The fall in oil prices, if sustained, could provide a much-needed operating cushion. But there are risks which must also be accounted for — including the proliferation of political instability.”