Economic growth reflected in strong passenger and freight demand

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released international traffic data for May 2006 showing 7% growth in passenger demand and 5.1% growth for freight over the same period in 2005. Load factor for May achieved an average of 73.6%.

"Strong economies are supporting strong demand growth for both freight and passenger traffic. This positive demand environment is helping the global airline industry to offset some of the sharp increase in jet fuel prices. And it is helping airlines boost revenues by an average of 10% over the past three years,"said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.