Air traffic in November returned to three-quarters of 2019 levels.
Data released by Iata shows total global air traffic in the month rose by 41.3% compared to the same period in 2021, reaching 75.3% of pre-pandemic November 2019 levels.
International traffic rose by 85.2% of the previous year’s levels, with the Asia-Pacific market reporting the strongest year-on-year results, and all regions showing improvement compared to 2021. Total November 2022 international traffic reached 73.7% of the levels in November 2019.
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Domestic travel was up 3.4% compared to November 2021, with travel restrictions in China “continuing to dampen the global result”, the association said. Total November 2022 domestic traffic was at 77.7% of November 2019 levels.
Director general Willie Walsh welcomed news air traffic is recovering, but warned reaction to China’s reopening of international travel has sparked governments playing “science politics”, and encouraged policy makers to manage Covid-19 instead of reintroducing testing.
“Traffic results in November reinforce that consumers are thoroughly enjoying the freedom to travel,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the reactions to China’s reopening of international travel in January reminds us that many governments are still playing science politics when it comes to Covid-19 and travel.
“Epidemiologists, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and others have said that the reintroduction of testing for travellers from China can do little to contain a virus that is already present around the world.
“And China’s objections to these policy measures are compromised by their own pre-departure testing requirements for people travelling to China.”
He added: “Governments should focus on using available tools to manage Covid-19 effectively, including improved therapeutics and vaccinations, rather than repeating policies that have failed time and again over the last three years.”