The Middle East was the only region in the world where airlines experienced growth in passengers in the month of March this year, according to the International Air Transport Association. While the global airline industry took an 11.1% hit in passenger numbers in March compared to the same period a year earlier, Middle East carriers experienced 4.7% growth. in the month. 'This is an improvement from the 0.4 per cent growth in February, and represented an expansion of market share. But this was out of balance with the 13.1 per cent increase in capacity,' Iata said yesterday in a statement. While demand growth for air travel in the region is expected to reach 1.2% this year, it will be overshadowed by the impact of a 3.8% rise in capacity, according to Iata.