International Air Passengers Rise 3.6 Pct In October

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The international passenger traffic rose 3.6 per cent in October compared with the same month last year, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In a statement Thursday, IATA said this was in line with growth year-to-date and stronger than September's rise of 2.3 per cent. "However, premium passengers were up at a slower rate of 2.9 per cent in October than economy class passengers with 3.7 per cent. "The growth so far this year in premium and economy class air travel has equalised. "As a result, there is no further increase in premium's share of total traffic, which could suppress growth in premium yields and revenues," it said. IATA said the Far East market recorded a stronger rise in October, up 2.9 per cent compared to the trend of 0.4 per cent, this year. On international air travel, it said the outlook was positive but recent slowdown in major economies like China and the eurozone could place downward pressure on demand in coming months. "Although growth in world trade has been supportive of business-related air travel in recent months, the lack of improvement in business confidence since mid-2014 suggests those gains in international trade could be limited," it said. -- BERNAMA