Air traffic passenger numbers in March improved by 10,3% over those of March 2009, but the International Air Traffic Association (Iata) on Wednesday reminded that March 2009 was a “low point” for international travel.

Cargo demand had also increased by 28,1% year-on-year in March, which was a further improvement on the 26,3% growth recorded in February.

Passenger numbers had grown by 9% in February.

“March results show that the pace of the upturn is strong. But the trauma of the recession is not over. The industry has lost two years of growth, and passenger and freight markets are still 1% below early 2008 highs. Nonetheless, the pace of improvement, based on an improving global economic situation, is much faster than anybody would have expected even six months ago,” Iata director-general Giovanni Bisignani said in a statement on Wednesday.

Iata further pointed out that African carriers were now starting to see improving growth, with passenger demand up 13,6% year-on-year in March.

Meanwhile, Iata said that the traffic figures for April would show a dip, given the week-long interruption in flights caused by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland.

However, Bisignani said that the association did not expect passenger confidence to be affected and that a quick rebound would likely follow.

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