Global air traffic is back to 98.2pc of pre-pandemic levels, the International Air Transport Association says.
IATA figures for October 2023 show global air cargo demand is up by 31.2pc compared to the same month in 2022. This brings global traffic to 98.2pc of pre-COVID levels.
European carriers’ traffic rose 16.1pc versus October 2022. Capacity increased 14.5pc, and load factor edged up 1.2 percentage points to 85.1pc.
Domestic traffic showed significant growth, rising by 33.7pc compared to October 2022. China led the way with triple-digit percentage growth, and domestic traffic was also 4.8pc higher than October 2019.
International traffic saw a 29.7pc increase compared to October 2022, with all markets experiencing double-digit growth. International traffic has reached 94.4pc of October 2019 levels. The recovery in international demand is slower, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, where international demand for carriers is still 19.5pc behind 2019 levels.
IATA Director general Willie Walsh said “people assign a high value to the freedom to travel. The strong demand we’ve seen all year confirms that. And aviation is committed to ensuring that people can continue to enjoy this freedom. To do that in the long-term, we must also meet our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Last month, the Third Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) agreed a global framework to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production with the aim that aviation fuel in 2030 is 5pc less carbon intensive than fossil fuel used today. Now, governments need to support that target by immediately putting in place policies to stimulate SAF production. It bears repeating: last year, every drop of SAF that was produced was purchased. The same thing will occur this year. But, with a few notable exceptions, governments are not living up to their obligations to ensure SAF is plentiful and affordable to support the industry’s energy transition.”
““October’s strong result brings the industry ever closer to completing the post-pandemic traffic recovery. Domestic markets remain above pre-COVID levels. International demand is recovering, but more slowly. In particular, Asia Pacific carriers’ international demand is 19.5pc behind 2019. This could reflect the late lifting of COVID restrictions in parts of the region as well as commercial developments and political tensions.”
