IATA: 2009 was airline industry's 'worst demand decline in history'

Statistics for international scheduled air traffic in 2009 have showed the largest post-war decline in the global aviation sector, the industry's trade body said. Passenger demand for the full year was down 3.5% with an average load factor of 75.6%, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said. In contrast, Middle Eastern carriers generated the fastest growth in passenger traffic at the end of 2009 with a 19.1% increase in December, and 11.2% growth for the entire year.