KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): Global passenger traffic results for March showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 5.3%, compared to the same month last year, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement yesterday, IATA said capacity grew slightly faster at 5.9% which pushed the average load factor down by half a percentage point to 79.6%.

It said March 2016 performance showed a moderate slowdown on the year-on-year growth rates recorded in January (7.2%) and February (8.6%) even after adjusting for the leap-year impact in February.

It said demand for international traffic grew significantly more quickly (6.2%) than that for domestic travel (3.7%).

IATA director general and CEO Tony Tyler said while in line with long-term trends, demand growth in March represented a slow-down compared to January and February.

“It is premature to say whether this marks the end of the recent very strong results.

“We do expect further stimulus in the form of network expansion and declines in travel costs. However, the wider economic backdrop remains subdued," he said.