A recovery in airline passenger demand which had been slowing since the northern hemisphere’s summer travel season, came to a halt in November, latest Iata data revealed.
Demand for international flights was 88.3% below November 2019, slightly worse than the 87.6% year-to-year decline recorded in October.
European carriers suffered an 87% international traffic slump, worse than the 83% decline in October.
A recovery in domestic demand, which had been the relative bright spot, also stalled, with November traffic down 41% year-on-year.
Iata director general and chief executive Alexandre de Juniac said: “The already tepid recovery in air travel demand came to a full stop in November.
“That’s because governments responded to new outbreaks with even more severe travel restrictions and quarantine measures.
“This is clearly inefficient. Such measures increase hardship for millions.
“Vaccines offer the long-term solution. In the meantime, testing is the best way that we see to stop the spread of the virus and start the economic recovery.
“How much more anguish do people need to go through – job losses, mental stress – before governments will understand that?”