Global air cargo and passenger traffic increased in the first half of the year

Global air passenger traffic growth is up 6 percent year-over-year in the first half of the year, according to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) latest Air Passenger Market Analysis.

Compared to 5.9 percent growth in the first half of 2015, the figure includes this year’s extra leap day. IATA estimates that without the extra day, 2016’s first-half growth is 5.4 percent, which is still “broadly in line with the average pace seen over the past decade,” IATA said. Year-to-date, total market capacity is up 6.2 percent year-over-year (YOY), with a total passenger load factor of 79.2 percent. (MTI)