Air travel demand grows in January

Demand for flights grew by 6.1 per cent across the globe in January, according to new figures.

Statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have revealed that three-quarters of airline seats were filled during the month - the second year of consecutive monthly increases for year-on-year load factors.

Europe saw passenger growth of 5.5 per cent, while North America enjoyed a rise of 6.6 per cent and Asia Pacific five per cent.

However, it was the Middle East that led the way in January, experiencing growth of 19.8 per cent during the month.

"January passenger numbers tell a good story. People want to fly and airlines continue to meet this demand with even greater efficiency - filling 74.9 per cent of seats available globally," commented IATA director-general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani.

Research group OAG recently found that about 100,000 new flights were added to airlines' schedules during January.

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