Growth of international air traffic in January was stronger than expected in all regions except Asia Pacific which suffered from the impact of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, according to data released Monday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

While passenger and cargo traffic improved by 7.9 and 15.5 percent respectively over the same period in 2004, passenger traffic growth in Asia Pacific region was stunted at 2.5 percent.

Overall passenger capacity rose by 7.8 percent, leaving the global passenger load factor at 73.5 percent for January.

With the exception of Asia Pacific and the Middle East, trafficgains lead capacity expansion, according to the IATA.

Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of the association, predicted a 5.9 percent passenger growth this year.
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2005)