The key points of IATA’s airlines financial monitor are:
• Worldwide airline share prices fell 6% in November, partly owing to concerns that the Paris attacks will impact demand for air travel;
• Financial performance of the airline industry has remained solid, but mostly driven by the US and Europe. Airlines in other regions are showing declines in Q3 compared to a year ago;
• Crude oil prices fell to $40/bbl in November, reflecting intensified concerns over excess supply as well as a softer demand outlook;
• Passenger yields in the US continue to fall and although the US$ appreciation has exaggerated declines in global fares, currency-adjusted levels are also down, by 5% year-to-date;
• Weakness in the currency-adjusted yields and fares reflects downward pressure from factors including the decline in fuel costs and stronger growth in capacity relative to demand in some regions;
• RPK volumes expanded further in October while FTKs volumes fell back after signs of modest gain in Q3;
• Growth in the number of seats plunged in October, well below expansion in demand, which should help support aircraft utilization rates;
• Passenger loads reached a new record high (80.8%, seasonally adjusted) in October. By contrast, freight load factors remain at low levels not seen since mid-2009.