[BERLIN] Demand for international air travel rose by 5.7 per cent in October, building on an increase of 5.2 per cent recorded for September, the International Air Transport Association (IATA)said on Thursday.

Capacity, measured by available seat kilometres, rose 5.5 per cent, meaning load factors, indicating how full planes are, rose 0.1 per centage points to 79.1 per cent.

"With 2014 drawing to a close the outlook for air travel remains positive, as improvements in economies in Asia-Pacific and the United States offset signs of weakness in the Eurozone and China," IATA Director General Tony Tyler said in a statement to accompany the monthly statistics.

Airline stocks have been boosted by falling oil prices, but Mr Tyler warned this could also signal a broader economic slowdown.

REUTERS