Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Geneva-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) released figures 25 June showing that, while still falling, the drop in the number of air travellers in May 2009 was slightly smaller than in previous months, lending credence to reports of a bottoming-out of the recession. Worldwide, travel figures were 9.3 percent down in May compared to May 2008. The load factor in May, the ratio of passengers flown over airline capacity, was lower than a year ago, at 71.2 percent.
International freight travel figures were relatively better as well, though still below levels of last year. “We may have hit bottom, but we are a long way from recovery,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO.
Solar Impulse computer model in flight (image: EPFL)
Duebendorf, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – “Yesterday, it was a dream. Today, it is an airplane – tomorrow it will be an ambassador of renewable energies”, Bertrand Piccard told journalists gathered Friday 26 June for the unveiling of his futuristic fuel-free airplane Solar Impulse.
Piccard is the head of a project to build and fly a plane that uses only the sun’s energy to fly non-stop around the world.
