KUALA LUMPUR (July 6): Global passenger traffic results for May 2018 showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 6.1% year-on-year (y-o-y), according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement yesterday, IATA said this was a slight pickup from 6.0% y-o-y growth for April 2018.

It said capacity climbed 5.9% and load factor rose 0.1 percentage point to 80.1%.

IATA’s director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said May was another solid month in terms of demand growth.

“As had been expected, we saw some moderation, as rising airline costs are reducing the stimulus from lower airfares.

“In particular, jet fuel prices are expected to be up nearly 26% this year compared to 2017.

“Nevertheless, the record load factor for the month signifies that demand for air connectivity is strong," he said.