2000 W.A.T.S. - MORE PASSENGERS, LESS PROFITS

IATA has released the 2000 edition of World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), the most comprehensive and timely source of airline statistical information available. This latest edition highlights overall growth in the number of passengers and freight carried in 1999. During 1999, IATA member airlines carried over 1.3 billion scheduled passengers - a growth of 3.8 per cent from 1998. In addition, data contained in WATS indicates an important trend reversal from 1998 - in 1999, passenger traffic growth was higher than growth in capacity.

Buoyed by the economic recovery in Asia, IATA's member airlines carried 27.7 million tonnes of cargo in 1999, up 5.9 per cent from the previous year. The Asia-Pacific's economic recovery has also augured well for that region's airline industry. Passengers carried on international services within Asia increased by 9.6 per cent in 1999, but growth in other regions has been minimal, with the North Atlantic recording growth of only 3.9 per cent (against 9.6 per cent in 1998) and international traffic between North and South America down 12.7 per cent.

The airline industry remained profitable in 1999, but net profitability on international scheduled services fell more than 20 percent, mainly because average yields fell two points faster than unit costs.

WATS also contains Top 50 airline rankings for passenger and freight traffic. Overall, the top six passenger-carrying airlines were American, while international rankings were dominated by European airlines. Results for freight tonnes carried were more mixed, with specialist cargo airlines ranking well, followed strongly by Asian and European carriers. Available electronically through iataonline.com, or in hard copy, WATS 2000 paints a clear picture of global aviation, covering international, domestic and system-wide traffic data. This data originates from IATA's member airlines, and includes detailed analysis, complemented by global airline traffic trends and financial results from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).