IATA said that increasing numbers of passengers were taking long-haul flights within Asia alongside the export-driven economic rebound that has put China and other countries on a steadier footing.
It said in its report, "The strongest rise in economic and business activity has been seen in the Asia-Pacific regions, where private sector balance sheets are less encumbered with debt and bad assets."
Reuters reports that IATA has said the global airline industry will lose $11 billion in 2009 as a result of the recession.