The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has reported the “strong” post-pandemic passenger traffic trend continued in August, almost reaching pre-Covid levels.
Total traffic in August, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) by rose 28.4% compared to August 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 95.7% of pre-pandemic levels.
International traffic climbed 30.4% year on year and all markets saw double-digit percentage gains year on year. International RPKs reached 88.5% of August 2019 levels.
Willie Walsh, Iata director general, said: “Demand for air travel performed well in August.
“For the year to date, international traffic has increased by 50% versus last year and ticket sales data show international bookings strengthening for travel in the last part of the year.”
More: Global air traffic topped 95% of pre-Covid levels in July
European carriers’ August traffic rose 13.6% compared to August 2022, while capacity increased 12.3%.
Walsh added: “Heading into the last quarter of the year, the airline industry is nearly fully recovered to 2019 levels of demand.
“The focus, however, has not been on getting back to a specific number of passengers or flights, but rather on meeting the demand by businesses and individuals for connectivity that was artificially suppressed for more than two years.”
He continued: “Having seen the economic, social, and personal losses when airlines could not fly during the Covid-19 crisis, this industry is determined to secure a sustainable long-term future by achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
He said this was “clearly evident” at the first Iata World Sustainability Symposium, held in Madrid (October 2-4).
“We know that our customers want a world in which they can enjoy the freedom to travel sustainably,” said Walsh.
“This inaugural World Sustainability Symposium was a critical step in aligning policy makers, the aviation value chain and airlines with the concrete steps needed to deliver.
“We will measure progress when we meet again in a year’s time.”