The International Air Transport Association says a record number of people traveled by plane last year thanks to improved global economic conditions and lower average airfares.<br /> According to the association's data, four-point-one billion passengers were transported across the world - up more than seven percent from 2016.<br />That is equal to almost half the world's population. <br />The IATA added that airlines connected a record number of cities worldwide in 2017, providing regular services to over 20,000 city pairs - more than double the level of 1995.<br />It said increases in direct services improve the industry's efficiency by cutting costs and saving time for both travelers and shippers alike. <br />
