Air passenger traffic in the Middle East continues to recover strongly, with passenger numbers up by 13.2 per cent in July.

The latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (Iata) show air travel continuing to climb, following a 12.9 per cent increase in June and a 9.5 per cent increase in May.

Over the last three months, the Middle East was the only region in the world to show an increase in air traffic.

Globally, the number of passengers in July fell by 2.9 per cent.

The increase in Middle Eastern passenger numbers came solely from greater numbers of economy ticket sales.

Iata figures released in mid-August showed an 11.6 per cent drop in first and business class air travel during June (MEED 19:8:09).