Passenger and freight air traffic slows

International air traffic growth slowed in November, the airline industry body IATA said on Thursday – a sign the global economic recovery is easing.

Air freight – an important indicator of trade and economic recovery – grew 5.4 percent from a year ago, well below the 14.5 percent recorded in October, the International Air Transport Association said.

"The industry is shifting gears in the recovery cycle," IATA’s Director-General, Giovanni Bisignani, said in a statement.

"Growth is slowing towards normal historical levels in the 5 to 6 percent range. Relative weakness in developed markets is being offset by the momentum of economic expansion in developing markets," he added.

Passenger demand – a reflection of business and consumer confidence – was 8.2 percent higher in November than a year earlier, also below October's 10 percent rise, but 4 percent above pre-crisis levels.