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A Vietnam Airlines aircraft prepares to land at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi November 14, 2014.KHAM/Reuters

A slowdown in the major global economies is taking its toll on passenger air travel.

Growth in air traffic in September slowed, rising 2.3 per cent compared to a year ago, weaker than the 4.5-per-cent increase posted in August, the latest numbers from the International Air Transport Association show.

The overall trend in air travel demand is positive but "there is also a more fundamental weakening the positive growth trend, with latest data showing widespread slowing in major economies at the start of [the fourth quarter]," IATA said in a report Monday.

The Far East market remains weak, contracting 1.6 per cent in September, year-over-year.

China's economy is showing weak domestic demand, which is offsetting more positive growth in exports, according to the results.

The recent weakening in the euro zone economy may be starting to have a negative effect on demand, as well, with an increase of 2.3 per cent within that market, slower than the trend so far this year of 3.6 per cent, the agency said.

Even the resurging U.S. economy is set for growth at a slower pace in Q4 than was the case earlier in the year, IATA said.

"Although there were signs of improvements in business confidence and international trade growth during more recent months, latest figures are showing yet another pause or flattening in positive momentum," the report said.

"Although the consensus view is that the global economic recovery will continue, these recent results suggest that the strength of the upturn is still weak and fragile."

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