Passenger demand, forward bookings signal continuing recovery, says IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the recovery in air travel continued in October.

Total traffic in October 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 44.6 per cent compared to October 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 74.2 per cent of October 2019 levels.

Domestic traffic for October 2022 slipped 0.8 per cent compared to the year-ago period as stringent COVID-related travel restrictions in China dampened global figures. Total October 2022 domestic traffic was at 77.9 per cent of the October 2019 level. Domestic forward bookings remain at around 70 per cent of pre-pandemic level.

International traffic climbed 102.4 per cent versus October 2021. October 2022 international Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) reached 72.1 per cent of October 2019 levels with all markets recording strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific. Forward bookings for international travel increased to around 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, following the re-openings announced by multiple Asian economies.

“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,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

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 per cent could not imagine doing so without access to air transport networks and 89 per cent believed being close to an airport with global connections gave them a competitive advantage.

Governments need to pay attention to the message that air travel is fundamental to how we live and work. 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.”

In other news, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTCC), Dubai earned $29.4bn from international tourists this year, making it the top city for international tourist spending.

Read: Dubai ranks first in international tourist spending, reveals WTTC