Cape Town - African airlines experienced a 6.5% increase in traffic compared to a year ago, down from 9.8% demand growth in June, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata).
Capacity rose 1.7%, and load factor jumped 3.4 percentage points to 74.1%.
Globally passenger traffic results for July show strong but moderating demand growth.
Total revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose 6.8%, compared to the same month last year, down from 7.7% year-over-year growth recorded in June.
All regions reported solid or better growth in passenger volumes over the past year. Capacity (available seat kilometres or ASKs) increased by 6.1%, and load factor rose 0.6 percentage points to a July record of 84.7%.
"As is evidenced by the record high load factor in July, the appetite for air travel remains very strong. However, the stimulus effect of lower fares is softening in the face of rising cost inputs. This suggests a moderating in the supportive demand backdrop," said Alexandre de Juniac, Iata’s director general and CEO.
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE UPDATE: Get Fin24's top morning business news and opinions in your inbox.
Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter: Fin24’s top stories