KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 7): Global passenger traffic results for September showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) grew 7% compared to the same month in 2015, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement last Friday, IATA said this was the strongest year-over-year increase in seven months.

It said capacity climbed 6.6% and load factor edged up 0.3 percentage points to 81.1%.

IATA said growth in domestic traffic slightly outpaced growth in international traffic.

IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said September’s growth in passenger demand was healthy.

“Importantly, this rebound from August weakness suggests that travel demand is showing its resilience in the aftermath of terror attacks.

“We must, of course, be ever-alert to the ongoing terror threat. And overall the industry is still vulnerable to being buffeted by rising geopolitical tensions, protectionist political agendas, and weak economic fundamentals.

“This will still be a good year for the airline industry’s performance, but our profitability will continue to be hard-won,"he said.