PASSENGER DEMAND GREW EXPONENTIALLY IN 2013: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced full-year traffic results for 2013 showing a 5.2per cent increase in passenger demand compared to 2012. The 2013 performance aligns with the average annual growth rate of the past 30 years. Capacity rose 4.8 per cent and load factor averaged 79.5 per cent up 0.4 percentage points over 2012.

Demand in international markets (5.4 per cent) expanded at a slightly faster rate than domestic travel (4.9per cent).Strongest overall growth (domestic and international combined) was recorded by carriers in the Middle East (11.4 per cent) followed by Asia-Pacific (7.1 per cent), Latin America (6.3 per cent) and Africa (5.2 per cent). The slowest growth was in the developed markets of North America (2.3 per cent) and Europe (3.8 per cent).

“We saw healthy demand growth in 2013 despite the very difficult economic environment. There was a clear improvement trend over the course of the year which bodes well for 2014. Last year’s demand performance demonstrates the essential and growing role that aviation-enabled connectivity plays in our world. And with system-wide load factors at 79.5 per cent it is also clear that airlines are continuing to drive efficiencies to an ever-higher level,” said Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO, IATA.

International passenger demand grew by 5.4 per cent in 2013 compared to 2012 with all regions reporting growth. Capacity rose 4.9 per cent, boosting load factor to 79.3 per cent, up 0.4 percentage points over 2012.

Indian domestic traffic rose 4 per cent last year, compared to a 2.1 per cent decline in 2012. The demand environment has been challenging in view of the weakening economy, high inflation and slowing manufacturing and resource industries. Capacity climbed 3.5 per cent in 2013, and load factor was 74.6 per cent, up 1.7 percentage points compared to 2012.

Commercial aviation is celebrating its first century in 2014. “What was impossible yesterday is an accomplishment of today, while tomorrow heralds the unbelievable.” With these words, Percival Fansler, creator of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, inaugurated the era of commercial aviation on 1 January 1914.

“Fansler was right. The first century of commercial aviation has changed the world. It has made it a better place through connectivity. Forward-looking governments recognise the power of aviation to drive economic growth and spread prosperity. These governments are laying the foundations for our next century and in doing so will reap enormous benefits. But not all governments are on the same page. This anniversary year is an opportunity to remind short-sighted governments that they risk being left behind if they cripple aviation with taxes, over-burden it with onerous regulation, or fail to provide the infrastructure that it needs to grow,” said Tyler.