KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 7): Global passenger traffic results for October showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 6.3% year-on-year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement yesterday, IATA said this marked a rebound from 5.5% growth recorded in September, which was an eight-month low.

It said capacity also grew 6.3% and load factor was flat at 81.1%, matching last year’s record for the month.

It explained that airlines in all regions recorded gains.

It said total capacity climbed 6.1%, and load factor increased 0.1 percentage point to 79.8%.

IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac said October’s healthy performance is reassuring after the slower demand growth in September—some of which was attributable to weather-related disruptions.

“However, the bigger picture is that traffic growth has moderated compared to earlier in the year, reflecting a more mixed economic backdrop and reduced demand stimulation from lower fares,” he said.