KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): Global passenger traffic results for October showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 5.8% year-on-year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statetement yesterday, the IATA said capacity grew 6.3% and load factor slid 0.4 percentage points to 80.1%.

It said October’s performance was a slow-down on the 7.1% year-on-year growth rate recorded in September but still was broadly in line with 10-year averages.

It said domestic and international travel growth largely was in balance.

IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said passenger demand growth in October was consistent with long-term trends but represented a deterioration compared to September.

“While the negative traffic impact from terror attacks and political instability in parts of the world has receded, the long downward trend in yield—which helped to stimulate travel--has leveled off.

“Furthermore, the recent OPEC agreement to restrict oil production suggests fuel prices have ended their slide," he said.