Industry association IATA reported November 2011 saw international air passenger traffic slow and freight transport drop compared to last year because of the current poor economic environment.

"Passenger traffic was 4.3 percent above November 2010 levels but this is skewed as November 2010 was a particularly weak month," the association said in a statement.

IATA’s Director General and CEO Tony Tyler said the results were reflected in air transport markets by a weak global economic performance.  “The trend has been both soft and volatile, continuing economic uncertainty will likely mean market shortcomings deepening as we enter 2012,” Mr Tyler said.

International travel markets decreased by 1.5 per cent compared to October, much weaker than domestic markets that grew by 14.3 per cent.

The differences in regions were noticeable, with North American carriers reporting a 0.8 per cent decline in travel while Middle Eastern carriers enjoyed a 10.1 per cent increase.