Global air travel jumps 67.7% in August

Air traffic at 73.7% of pre-pandemic level, says air transport body IATA

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Global air travel grew 67.7% compared to a year ago in August, a sectoral group announced on Thursday.

Total traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was at 73.7% of pre-coronavirus levels, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement.

Up 26.5% year-on-year in August, domestic air travel was 14.6% down compared to August 2019.

International air traffic more than doubled from last year, up 115.6% in August, with Asia delivering the strongest annual growth rates. International RPKs reached 67.4% of August 2019 levels.

The Northern Hemisphere peak summer travel season finished on a high note, IATA's Director General Willie Walsh said, adding: "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."

Airlines based in Asia Pacific saw a 449.5% year-on-year surge in international RPKs in August, a rise of 1.4 percentage points compared to 2019.

Global passenger load factor stood at 81.8%, with European carriers leading at 86.2%. International markets saw an 83.2% load factor and it was 79.7% for domestic markets.

Kaynak:

This news has been read 118 times in total