Global Air Travel Demand Back in Growth Territory

New monthly figures show that global air passenger demand has returned to growth mode.

Latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that demand for flying grew 0.2%, year-on-year in July.

While small, the positive movement followed a near 2% year-on-year drop in demand in June, due to the Middle East conflict.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability, and Chief Economist, said: “The peak Northern summer travel season is a mostly positive story for air travel. Overall growth of 0.2% in July was achieved despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East. Notably, traffic through the Gulf hubs continues its recovery trajectory.

"Although high fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continue, carriers are expressing confidence in demand for the last part of the year with an almost 3% expansion of seat capacity in September."