Global passenger traffic results compiled by IATA show that air travel continued to expand at a healthy rate in May 2013, with growth was led by emerging markets.

Compared to the year-ago period, overall demand rose 5.6 per cent while capacity climbed 5.2 per cent pushing the load factor up 0.3 percentage points to 78.1 per cent.

Tony Tyler, IATA director general, said: “Global economic performance remains a concern; however, demand for air travel continues to expand.

“The primary driver is growing demand for connectivity to emerging markets.

“The business environment has also improved compared to mid-2012 with some indications of easing weakness in the Eurozone.

“It’s still a tough environment, but there are some reasons for optimism in the second half of the year.”

In May international passenger demand rose 5.7 per cent compared to the year-ago period, with capacity up 5.6 per cent.

Load factor was flat at 77.0 per cent and the strongest growth occurred in the emerging markets of Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.