Global airline carryings hit 75% of pre-pandemic levels
Global airline passenger traffic recovered to almost 75% of pre-pandemic levels in October, latest data reveals.
Total carryings rose by 44.6% in October over the same month last year, according to Iata.
International travel led them way with a 102% increase, with the Asia-Pacific region leading the rebound.
Forward bookings for international travel increased to around 75% of pre-pandemic levels, following the re-openings announced by multiple Asian economies, Iata said.
However, domestic traffic slipped by 0.8% year-on-year as stringent Covid-related travel restrictions in China dampened global figures.
Domestic forward bookings remain at around 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
Iata director general Willie Walsh said: “Traditionally, by October we are into the slower autumn travel season in the northern hemisphere, so it is highly reassuring to see demand and forward bookings continuing to be so strong.
“It bodes well for the coming winter season and the ongoing recovery.”
He added: “People are enjoying the freedom to travel, and businesses recognise the importance of air transport to their success.
“A recent survey of European business leaders doing business across borders showed that 84% could not imagine doing so without access to air transport networks and 89% believed being close to an airport with global connections gave them a competitive advantage.”
He urged governments “to pay attention to the message that air travel is fundamental to how we live and work”.
Walsh said: “That reality should drive policies to enable aviation to operate as efficiently as possible while supporting the industry’s 2050 net zero emission goals with meaningful incentives to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuels.”
