Global air travel edges toward full recovery
Global air travel is now at 99% of 2019 levels., according to IATA’s November 2023 figures.
International Air Transport Association data for November 2023 air travel performance shows air travel demand almost fully recovered to pre pandemic levels.
Total traffic in November 2023 (measured in RPKs) rose 29.7% compared to November 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 99.1% of November 2019 levels.
International traffic rose 26.4% versus November 2022.
The Asia-Pacific region continued to report the strongest year-over-year results (+63.8%) with all regions showing improvement compared to the prior year.
November 2023 international RPKs reached 94.5% of pre-pandemic levels.
Overall domestic traffic for November 2023 was up 34.8%.
Total domestic traffic was 6.7% above pre-pandemic.
Growth was particularly strong in China (+272%) as it recovered from travel restrictions that were still in place a year ago.
US domestic travel, on the back of Thanksgiving holidays demand, reached a new high, expanding +9.1% over November 2019.
“We are moving ever closer to surpassing the 2019 peak year for air travel,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“Economic headwinds are not deterring people from travel. International travel remains 5.5% below pre-pandemic levels but that gap is rapidly closing.”
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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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