Summer season ends on high note

As per the air passenger data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), total traffic during the month was up 67.7 per cent compared to August 2021. Globally, the air passenger traffic was at 73.7 per cent of the pre-crisis levels.

TT Bureau

Momentum in the air travel recovery continued in August, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). As per the passenger data, total traffic during the month (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) was up 67.7 per cent compared to August 2021. Globally, the air passenger traffic was at 73.7 per cent of the pre-crisis levels.

Domestic traffic was up 26.5 per cent compared to the year-ago period. Total August 2022 domestic traffic was at 85.4 per cent of the August 2019 level. International traffic rose 115.6 per cent versus August 2021 with airlines in Asia delivering the strongest year-over-year growth rates. August 2022 international RPKs reached 67.4 per cent of August 2019 levels.

“The Northern Hemisphere peak summer travel season finished on a high note. Considering the prevailing economic uncertainties, travel demand is progressing well. And the removal or easing of travel restrictions at some key Asian destinations, including Japan, will certainly accelerate the recovery in Asia. The mainland of China is the last major market retaining severe COVID-19 entry restrictions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

International passenger markets

Asia-Pacific airlines had a 449.2 per cent rise in August traffic compared to August 2021. Capacity rose 167 per cent and the load factor was up 40.1 percentage points to 78.0 per cent. While the region experienced the strongest year-over-year growth, remaining travel restrictions in China continue to hamper the overall recovery for the region.

European carriers’ August traffic climbed 78.8 per cent versus August 2021. Capacity rose 48.0 per cent, and load factor increased 14.7 percentage points to 85.5 per cent. The region had the second highest load factor after
North America.

Middle Eastern airlines’ traffic rose 144.9 per cent in August compared to August 2021. Capacity rose 72.2 per cent versus the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 23.7 percentage points to 79.8 per cent.

North American carriers saw a 110.4 per cent traffic rise in August versus the 2021 period. Capacity rose 69.7 per cent, and load factor climbed 16.9 percentage points to 87.2 per cent, which was the highest among the regions.

Latin American airlines’ August traffic rose 102.5 per cent compared to the same month in 2021. August capacity rose 80.8 per cent and load factor increased 8.9 percentage points to 83.5 per cent.

African airlines experienced a 69.5 per cent rise in August RPKs versus a year ago. August 2022 capacity was up 45.3 per cent and load factor climbed 10.8 percentage points to 75.9 per cent, the lowest among regions. International traffic between Africa and neighbouring regions is close to pre-pandemic levels.

• Australia’s domestic traffic posted a 449 per cent year-over-year increase and is now 85.8 per cent of 2019 levels.
• US domestic traffic was up 7 per cent in August, compared to August 2021. Further recovery is limited by supply constraints.