Middle East carriers experienced a 7 percent rise in passenger demand in October, the slowest pace for the region in 18 months, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA said in a statement that the slowdown could have been affected by the timing of regional celebrations.
Capacity in the Middle East increased 10 percent in October, with the result that load factor dropped 2 percent to 70.1 percent, its lowest level for the month of October since 2006.
Globally, IATA said passenger traffic results for October (measured in revenue passenger kilometres) rose 5.8 percent compared to the same month last year.
Capacity grew 6.3 percent and load factor slid 0.4 percent to 80.1 percent, it added.
October’s performance was a slowdown on the 7.1 percent year-on-year growth rate recorded in September but still was broadly in line with 10-year averages.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “Passenger demand growth in October was consistent with long-term trends but represented a deterioration compared to September.
“While the negative traffic impact from terror attacks and political instability in parts of the world has receded, the long downward trend in yield, which helped to stimulate travel, has leveled off. Furthermore, the recent OPEC agreement to restrict oil production suggests fuel prices have ended their slide.”
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