Air travel growth stalling - IATA

Growth in international air passengers rose 3.6% in November compared to a year ago, showing no improvement in October's performance (a 3.7% increase).

Consistent with weakening global business conditions, these results suggest that growth in international air travel is stalling.

International air travel volumes indicate a flattening in the growth trend in economy and premium passenger numbers over the recent past.

This development reflects a gradual slowdown in improvements in business confidence throughout H2, 2014, with economic conditions in the Eurozone and China deteriorating;

Nonetheless, travel within Europe performed well overall in November with a 4.9% rise compared to a year ago. Much of that growth, however, took place in economy class travel (up 5.2%), partly driven by business travellers substituting away from premium seats (up 0.9%) as a means of cost cutting.

Stronger growth in total international travel was inhibited by other markets where expansion remained robust but below trend. Examples include international travel on Europe - Far East, Europe - Middle East and Middle East - Far East.