Airlines are typically flying with fewer than one in five seats empty, according to new figures released by global body IATA.
The average load factor for international airlines reached a record high in November, fell back slightly in December when capacity rose faster than at any other time for the past four years, but at 80.5% for the whole of 2016, it was the highest annual average on record.
Airline capacity was up 6.5% last year as the number of commercial passenger aircraft worldwide grew to 27,750. In December, there were 201 new deliveries compared with 150 in December 2015.
IATA said airlines ended 2016 with a ‘solid’ performance during the fourth quarter, but it warned the rise in profits had weakened.
Premium airfares for the last three months of the year held up better than economy fares, boosting airlines’ financial performance, it added
