Air travel suffered its largest decline in recent history in March, with a drop in demand of more than half last month according to Iata.
The International Air Transport Association reported a “disastrous” 52.9% drop compared to the same month last year in its latest analysis.
Global passenger volumes returned to levels last seen in 2006 as March capacity fell by 36.2% and load factor plummeted 21.4 percentage points to 60.6%.
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“March was a disastrous month for aviation,” said Iata director general Alexandre de Juniac. “Airlines progressively felt the growing impact of the COVID-19 related border closings and restrictions on mobility, including in domestic markets. Demand was at the same level it was in 2006 but we have the fleets and employees for double that. Worse, we know that the situation deteriorated even more in April and most signs point to a slow recovery.”
Passenger demand for international travel took a 55.8% hit compared to a 47.8% hit in demand for domestic air travel.
Demand in Europe, which accounts for more than a quarter of international traffic, fell 51.8%. The Asia Pacific region, which account for the largest share at 34.7%, fell 59.9%. North America, which accounts for 22.2% of global demand, saw traffic fall 49.8%.
De Juniac added: “The industry is in free fall and we have not hit bottom. But there will come a time — soon, I hope — when authorities will be ready to begin easing restrictions on mobility and opening borders. It is imperative that governments work with industry now to prepare for that day. It is the only way to ensure that we have measures in place to keep passengers safe during travel and reassure governments that aviation will not be a vector in the spread of the disease.
“We must also avoid the confusion and complexity that followed 9/11. Global standards that are mutually accepted and operationally practicable will be mission-critical to achieving this. The only way to get there is by working together.”