The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has reported that total global air passenger traffic in May was up 5%, year-on-year (y-o-y). International traffic increased by 6.7% over the same period, while domestic air travel rose by 2.1%.

Total global air passenger capacity was 5% higher, y-o-y, with international capacity increasing by 6.4%. Domestic capacity rose 2.8%.

The total load factor for airliners globally in May was 83.4%. This was actually -0.1 of a percentage point (ppt) down, y-o-y. For international operations, the load factor was 83.2% (a y-o-y increase of 0.2 of a ppt). On domestic flights, the load factor was 83.7%, a -0.5 of a ppt decrease, y-o-y.

“Air travel demand growth was uneven in May,” noted IATA director-general Willie Walsh. “Globally, the industry reported 5% growth with Asia-Pacific taking the lead at 9.4%. The outlier was North America which reported a 0.5% decline, led by a 1.7% fall in the US domestic market. Severe disruptions in the Middle East in late June remind us that geopolitical instability remains a challenge in some regions as airlines maintain safe operations with minimal passenger inconvenience. The impact of such instability on oil prices – which remained low throughout May – is also a critical factor to monitor. Importantly, consumer confidence appears to be strong with forward bookings for the peak Northern summer travel season, giving good reason for optimism.”

After the abovementioned Asia-Pacific region, second place, in terms of y-o-y growth in total air passenger demand in May, was taken by Latin America, with 8.5%. Then came Africa (7.5%), the Middle East (6.2%), and Europe (3.4%), with the US coming last, with the previously mentioned contraction in demand.

In terms of international air travel demand, the Asia-Pacific was again the region that saw the highest level of demand, at 13.3%, with Africa next, at 9.5%. Then came Latin America (8.8%), the Middle East (6.2%), Europe (4.1%) and North America (1.4%).

The six major domestic air markets tracked by IATA are Australia, Brazil, China, India, Japan and the US. These six countries accounted for 79.1% of all domestic air traffic, worldwide. Of these, the one that recorded the greatest y-o-y growth in May was Brazil, at 18.3%. It was followed by China (7.4%), Japan (5.8%), India (3.1%) and Australia (1%), while the US, as Walsh mentioned above, recorded a contraction of -1.7%.