Air travel improving, but still hurting

Date: 29/10/2009

Aeroplane passenger volumes are flat last year, proving air travel is just as vital as it was a year ago, before the economy took a turn.

The International Air Transport Association said international passenger
volumes rose 0.3 per cent in September over the same month last year.

Last year's September figures had sank three per cent over the previous
year's figure however.

IATA director-general Giovanni Bisignani said to Reuters: "It's far too
early to call this a recovery.

"The worst year may be over in terms of fall of demand, but [average fare] yields continue to be a disaster."

Seasonally adjusted demand fell for passenger travel by 0.3 per cent over the previous month and cargo levels dropped off in various sectors.

Cargo traffic is above its December 2008 low by 12 per cent, according
to the IATA, but still 17 per cent behind the high earlier in the same
year.