In a promising update from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air travel continues to make an impressive rebound from the pandemic’s clutches.
The month of June 2023 saw a remarkable 31.0% surge in traffic compared to June 2022. This brings the overall traffic to an encouraging 94.2% of pre-COVID levels.
Domestically, the upward trend remained persistent with June 2023 witnessing a 27.2% growth compared to June of the previous year. These figures surpassed June 2019’s results by 5.1%. International traffic, not lagging far behind, leaped by 33.7% in comparison to June 2022, inching closer to the pre-pandemic norm with 88.2% of June 2019 figures.
While all international markets demonstrated robust growth, Asia-Pacific airlines took the lead with a staggering 128.1% hike in traffic compared to June 2022. Europe, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Africa followed, each showcasing a significant rise in traffic, except for Africa that witnessed a dip in the international load factor.
On the domestic front, while most nations exhibited growth, Australia was an exception with a minor slip of 1.7% compared to the previous year. However, it still managed to stay 3.9% ahead of pre-pandemic levels. Indian domestic airlines showcased a 14.8% growth in demand in June, overtaking June 2019 figures by 1.3%.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, expressed optimism about the northern summer travel season, emphasizing the substantial benefits of the industry’s ongoing recovery. He pointed out how loaded planes signal a boon for airlines, local economies, and jobs relying on travel and tourism. However, Walsh also highlighted challenges faced by the aviation supply chain, stressing the need for governments to address the accountability of air navigation service providers.
