Global passenger traffic results for January this year show that traffic increased by 6.5 percent compared to January 2018, while demand for air freight decreased, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Thursday.

IATA said this was the fastest growth of passenger traffic in six months, noting that market signals are mixed for the future.

International passenger demand rose 6.0 percent in January 2019 compared to the same month last year, up from a 5.3 percent rise in December year-on-year.

All regions recorded growth, led by Europe for the fourth consecutive month. Capacity increased by 5.8 percent, and the freight load factor climbed 0.2 percentage point to 79.8 percent.

Asia-Pacific carriers recorded a 7.1 percent increase in demand compared to January 2018, solidly above the 5 percent growth registered in December.

Passenger capacity was up 5.1 percent, and the passenger load factor surged 1.5 percentage points to 81.7 percent, the second highest among the regions.

Freight capacity also increased by 4 percent year-on-year in January 2019. For the eleventh month in a row, capacity growth outstripped demand growth, said IATA.

Demand on global air freight markets decreased by 1.8 percent in January compared to the same month of 2018. "This was the worst performance in the last three years," IATA added.

IATA said, however, that demand for air cargo continues to face significant headwinds.

Air cargo markets contracted in January, showing a worsening of an already weakening trend that started in mid-2018.

Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's director general and CEO, said: "2019 has started on a positive note, with healthy passenger demand in line with the 10-year trend line."

"However, market signals are mixed, with indications of weakening business confidence in developed economies and a more nuanced picture across the developing world," he said.