Middle Eastern carriers had the strongest year-on-year traffic growth in August at 11.7 per cent as the airlines continued to benefit from the strength of regional economies and solid growth in business-related premium travel, according to the latest International Air Transport Association (Iata) report.

The capacity rose 10.3 per cent and load factor rose one percentage points to 83 per cent, said the report.

The global total revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 5.9 per cent in August, compared to the same month last year, which was about the 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase recorded in July.

The August capacity climbed 5.5 per cent, with the load factor standing at 83.9 per cent which is 0.3 percentage point rise over last year.

Tony Tyler, director general and CEO, said: “August was a good month right across the industry. All regions reported an expansion in demand for air travel. And load factors were high, reflecting the fact that August is peak travel season in the Northern hemisphere. We should, however, keep an eye on potential downside risks. European travel, for example, continues to show robust growth.

“The 6.1 per cent year-to-date expansion in demand reflects a solid step up from the 3.8 per cent growth recorded in 2013. But it remains a question how long the robust trend in passenger travel can continue in light of the continent’s increasingly worrying economic outlook.”

Meanwhile, the international passenger traffic rose 6.7 per cent in August, with all regions showing growth over the previous year. The capacity also rose 6.7 per cent and load factor was stable at 84.2 per cent, he said.

The continuing Ebola crisis took on a new dimension with the first confirmed diagnosis of Ebola in the US.

Iata is closely coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO), which has evaluated the risk of Ebola transmission occurring on an aircraft as ‘very low.’

"The airline industry is taking its guidance from the WHO and public health authorities to keep flying safe for passengers and crew. Travellers should be reassured. WHO has clearly said that the risk of Ebola transmission on board an aircraft is very low. Moreover, WHO is not advising any restrictions on travel," Tyler added. - TradeArabia News Service