The International Air Transport Association says conflict in the Middle East has put uncertainty into growth of airline traffic and fuel costs.
Although some flights are now taking off from airports in the region, the outbreak of war has meant most traffic has been grounded and oil prices have risen the most in four years with crude hitting USD82 a barrel.
“We all hope for an early peaceful resolution to the current hostilities. In the meantime, it is critical that states respect their obligation to keep civilians, and civil aviation free from harm,” says Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.
During the weekend airports at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were hit as Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Gulf states.
. . Global Growth
Schedule data had indicated a 5.2% increase in global seat capacity by Mar, which would be the fastest expansion since Apr 2024.
The IATA figures show the Middle East has 9.5% of global traffic and carriers saw a 7.2% year-on year increase in demand in Jan. International revenue passenger kms growth reached 5.9% in Jan year-on-year. All regions expanded, but growth decelerated, particularly in Asia Pacific, reflecting the timing of Lunar New Year falling in Feb. The international load factor, at 82.5%, was a record high for the month.
Capacity increased 7.8% year-on year, and the load factor was 83.2%. Average fares are expected to fall in real terms this year despite what Walsh described as persistent cost pressures from rising infrastructure charges, onerous regulatory bur dens, and the mounting cost of the energy transition.
