Global passenger traffic has increased by 7.1% in August this year, indicating a strong growth in air travel demand for both domestic and international traffic.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that the capacity increased by 5.9%, in August compared to 2014, driving up the passenger load factor up by 0.9 percentage points to a record of 84.7%.

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IATA director general and CEO Tony Tyler said: "August results continue the trend of strong demand for air travel, despite some softening in global economic growth, particularly in emerging markets.

"Airlines are committed to meeting growing demand sustainably. The record high load factor of 84.7% is a great indicator of improved efficiency – a 17% point increase over the industry’s performance a decade ago. This is just one indicator of the aviation industry’s determination to achieve carbon neutral growth from 2020."

International traffic growth was led by the Middle East (13.7%), followed by Asia-Pacific (7.7%), Latin America (6.7%), Europe (5.7%) and North America (4.5%) and Africa (3.6%).

Domestic passenger traffic, which was up 7.1% in August, was mainly dominated by India (18.3%) followed by China (13.6%), US (5.1%), Australia (1.7%), Brazil (-0.9%) and Japan (-2.1%).

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Tyler added: "Although the global economic outlook is decidedly mixed, demand for aviation connectivity remains strong.

"We are seeing the benefits of that connectivity play out at the Rugby World Cup taking place in England. Over 450,000 international fans are expected to attend the six-week pinnacle event of the sport.

"Aviation is helping to make this enormous infusion of spending possible. One can only speculate how much more value would be created for the UK’s economy, were it not for the punitive UK Air Passenger Duty."