Global air passenger demand increased by just over 7%, year-on-year, in October, latest monthly research by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows.
International demand rose 9.5%, while domestic flight demand was up 3.5%, the IATA figures show.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said: “Continued strong and stable demand is good news, but just as important is the steady improvement in load factors. It shows what a great job the industry is doing in flying people more efficiently.
“Average seat factors have risen from around 67% in the 1990’s to over 83% today. Politicians thinking of trying to tax passengers off planes to reduce emissions would do well to note this. Even if fewer people fly because taxes make it too expensive, it doesn’t automatically mean reduced emissions because the planes will still fly, just with fewer passengers. That would reverse decades hard won progress. We need to see the planes full to generate the economic and social benefits of travel with the most minimal emissions possible.”
