KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 11): Worldwide airline share prices fell by 10% month-on-month in January, alongside widespread sell-offs in global financial markets, accodring to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In its Dec 2015-Jan 2016 Airlines Financial Monitor report yesterday, the IATA said airline financial results from Q4 2015 pointed to a strong end to 2015, with strong improvements in North America and Europe.

It said weakness on the cargo side meant that Asia Pacific airlines saw the smallest improvements.

IATA said crude oil prices dropped to a 12-year low during January, reflecting a combination of heightened concerns over excess supply in the market and signs of weakness on the demand side too.

It said the most recent decline in the oil price over the past three months implied a cost saving of approximately US$24 billion off the air industry’s annual fuel bill.

“After adjusting for the distortionary impacts from the rise in the US dollar over the past 18 months or so, global air fares fell by around 5% in annual terms in 2015.

“Recent falls in oil prices mean that further falls in air fares are likely to be seen in 2016 as hedging contracts unwind, which will help to stimulate demand over the year,” said IATA.

Meanwhile, IATA said passenger traffic in 2015 enjoyed its strongest growth in five years.

It said the passenger load factor averaged a record high over the year, which alongside a lower breakeven load factor, helped to drive strong financial performance.

“By contrast, the cargo side of the business had a fitful year, with volumes ending the year just 0.5% higher than they started it.

“The freight load factor has settled at a six-year low, keeping intense pressure on cargo yields,” it said.