Spanish airline Vueling May traffic falls 11.8 pct

MADRID, June 5 (Reuters) - Spanish airline Vueling (VULG.MC) said on Friday that May passenger trafficfell 11.8 percent compared with the same month in 2008.

Its load factor -- the average proportion of seats filled on flights -- increased 0.6 points to 70.9 percent, helped by deep cuts over the last 12 months in the number of planes it flies.

In April, the airline increased passenger traffic by 11.3 percent on the back of Easter holidaymakers and new sales channels, but Friday's figures better reflect tumbling passenger numbers hitting all Spanish airlines and the wider industry.

The carrier is in the final stages of a merger with Iberia's (IBLA.MC) low-cost start-up Clickair.

Iberia is due to announce May traffic data next Tuesday. (Reporting by Ben Harding, editing by Will Waterman)