Premium traffic statistics compiled by IATA for September were weaker compared with August, resulting in what the association deems as "an area of turbulence".
IATA estimates premium traffic was down 13.9% in September compared with a 12% decrease in August. The number of passengers travelling in economy did rise by 1.2% compared with 0.4% decline in August. But the association explains the rise was entirely due to steep declines recorded in September of 2008. Seasonally adjusted estimates show a 2% decline in economy passengers in September versus August.
"The question is whether this setback is just the usual volatility," says IATA. The association explains it was notable that both world trade and US consumer confidence dipped in recent months, which could have driven the weaker results in September.
While most economic analysis indicates those are temporary setbacks, IATA warns that "further improvement in the economy will have to materialise to sustain the improvement in air travel numbers".
Asia continues to lead the recovery as IATA estimates that within Far East passenger numbers were up by 6.7% in September. The association also cites significant improvement in Pacific and Europe-Far East markets.
Markets in intra-Europe and routes over the north Atlantic continue to show weakness, declining 26.9% and 10.7% respectively in September compared with decreases of 20.5% and 7.8% in August.
The timing of the Ramadan holiday bolstered traffic figures for the Middle East in September as IATA estimates traffic within the region grew by 10.8% year-over-year and Middle- to-Far East traffic grew by 21.6%. Traffic from the Middle East to the southwestern pacific region increased by 20.7%.
IATA highlights a recovery in Central American traffic that was jolted by the H1N1 flu earlier this year. Passenger numbers were down 2.3% in September versus a 33.9% fall in August. Travel within South America also grew 2.1%, with premium travel rising 1% compared with a decline of 9% recorded in August.
Traffic in markets within Africa was down 1.4% in September as premium travel on the routes declined by more than 10%. Traffic from Africa to the Middle East grew more than 15% in September with travel from Africa to the Far East growing 3.3%. IATA says those increases in those tow market sectors are attributed to both travel associated with business investment and leisure travel.
Overall IATA estimates revenues from premium passengers were down 27% in September, and year-to-date premium travel numbers through September are showing a 19% decline. Economy travel has declined 3.8% through September, while total travel numbers are down 5.3% for the year.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
