Global passenger traffic up 7.1% in January: IATA

IATA said a slide in oil prices helped to boost demand for air travel in January, pointing to a strong year for passenger traffic. Demand for air travel, measured in revenue passenger km, rose 7.1% in January, while the passenger load factor increased by 1.1 percentage points, IATA said in its monthly traffic figures. "January maintained the strong traffic growth trend seen in 2015, showing the resilience of demand for connectivity despite recent turmoil in equity markets," said Tony Tyler, IATA's DG. The record load factor is a result of strong demand, airlines making the most productive use of their assets and due to the latest decline in oil prices, Tyler said. "Underlying conditions point to another strong year for passenger traffic, with the latest decline in oil prices likely providing additional stimulus for air travel growth," he said.<br/>