More travellers fly in September

Global passenger traffic on flights rose by 8.2 per cent in September, new statistics have revealed.

While this is down from the 8.6 per cent recorded in August, the figure represents an increase compared with the equivalent statistic for the year to date, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.

Demand was particularly strong for airlines in Latin America, followed by regions such as the Asia Pacific, China and India.

Meanwhile, strengthening competition on important routes in Africa led to a slowdown in growth in that region during September.

"Traffic demand remains strong despite the financial instability seen in recent months," commented Giovanni Bisignani, director-general and chief executive of the IATA.

The organisation recently predicted that the air travel industry will handle more than 2.75 billion passengers by 2011, with significant growth expected in both the international and domestic flight sectors over the next four years.

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