Air travel recovery continues as summer season ends on a high
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released passenger data for August 2022 showing continued momentum in the air travel recovery as peak travel season ended
Total traffic in August 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) was up 67.7% compared to August 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 73.7% of pre-crisis levels.
Breaking it down, domestic traffic for August 2022 was up 26.5% compared to a year-ago and is 85.4% of the August 2019 level. International traffic rose 115.6% versus August 2021.
“The northern hemisphere peak summer travel season finished on a high. Considering the prevailing economic uncertainties, travel demand is progressing well. The removal of travel restrictions at some key Asian destinations, including Japan, will certainly accelerate the recovery,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Asia-Pacific airlines had a huge 449.2% rise in August traffic compared with last year.
Capacity rose 167.0% and the load factor was up 40% to 78.0%.
While the region experienced the strongest year-over-year growth, remaining travel restrictions in China still hamper a full recovery.
European carriers’ August traffic climbed 78.8%.
Load factors are now at 85.5%, the second highest after North America.
North American load factor is now up to 87.2.
US domestic traffic grew 7% in August year on year with further recovery limited by supply constraints, IATA says
Ray Monty
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