IATA: Earthquake, Political Unrest Disrupt Air Transport Recovery
The earthquake in Japan and political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa interrupted the global air transport industry’s growth trend during March,
The earthquake in Japan and political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa interrupted the global air transport industry’s growth trend during March, as global passenger demand fell by 0.3 percent during the month, compared with February’s figures, according to data released last week by the International Air Transport Association.
IATA’s statistics showed that year-over-year growth had slowed to 3.8 percent from 5.8 percent recorded in February. However, freight markets appeared to largely escape the effects of the geopolitical turmoil, showing a rebound in March growth to 3.7 percent year-over-year, compared with 1.8 percent in February. Between the months of February and March, cargo demand expanded 4.5 percent.
