Air travel demand continues to rise
Global air travel is inching ever closer to a full post-pandemic recovery.
Passenger traffic is now at 95.6% of pre-Covid levels.
Total traffic in July 2023 (in RPKs) rose 26.2%.
Breaking in down, domestic traffic was up 21.5% and International traffic climbed 29.6%.
Passenger load factor for the industry reached 85.7% which is the highest monthly international PLF ever recorded.
“Planes were full during July as people continue to travel in ever greater numbers,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“Importantly, forward ticket sales indicate that traveler confidence remains high.”
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a big 105.8% increase in July compared to last year, the most of any region.
Asia Pacific load factor is up to 84.5%.
European carriers’ load factor edged up slightly to 87%.
Latin America and Africa airlines’ traffic both rose by more than 253% .
China’s domestic traffic jumped 71.9% showing the strongest gain against pre-pandemic levels for domestic markets.
US airlines’ domestic demand climbed 11.1% in July and is now 3% above pre-pandemic levels.
IATA called out operational issues such as the failure of NATS in the UK.
It also took issue with decisions to curb air travel in Mexico and the Netherlands with capacity cuts.
“The numbers tell us that people want and need air connectivity,” Walsh added.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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