Global passenger traffic in September 2023 increased by 30.1pc compared to September 2022 according to IATA, indicating traffic is now at 97.3pc of pre-pandemic levels.
Domestic traffic reached a new high for the month of September, up 28.3pc on September 2022 and 5.0pc on September 2019. The world’s total domestic air travel accounted for 41.9pc. Compared with September 2022:
- International traffic was up 31.2pc
- Asia-Pacific was up rate 92.6pc
- European carriers was up 15.7pc
- Middle East was up 26.6pc
- North America was up 18.9pc
- Latin America was up 26.8pc.
- Africa was up 28.1pc
China’s domestic market had a substantial recovery, with demand rising by 168.7pc from a low base in September 2022 when travel restrictions were reintroduced in some Chinese provinces.
Japan’s domestic traffic rebounded strongly, with a 19.9pc increase in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) compared to September 2022. This recovery follows the impact of typhoons in August.
Willie Walsh, the Glasnevin-born Director General of IATA said record-breaking domestic passenger demand in September and the continued strength of international traffic throughout the third quarter of 2023.
Mr Walsh says: “With the end of 2023 fast approaching, we can look back on a year of strong recovery in demand as passengers took full advantage of their freedom to travel. There is every reason to believe that this momentum can be maintained in the New Year, despite economic and political uncertainties in parts of the world. But we need the whole value chain to be ready. Supply chain issues in the aircraft manufacturing sector are unacceptable. They have held back the recovery and solutions must be found. The same holds true for infrastructure providers, particularly air navigation service providers. Equipment failures, staffing shortages and labour unrest made it impossible to deliver the flying experience our customers expect. A successful 2024 needs the whole value chain to be fully prepared to handle the demand that is coming,”
