Air travel demand continue to grow globally

According to the February 2023 traffic results announced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), strong growth in air travel demand continues. According to the figures released, total traffic in February 2023 increased by 55.5% compared to February 2022. Globally, traffic is currently hovering at 84.9% of February 2019 levels.

Willie Walsh, Managing Director of IATA, said: “Despite uncertain economic signals, demand for air travel remains strong around the world and particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The industry is currently about 15% below demand levels in 2019, and the gap is narrowing every month.”

Asia-Pacific airlines maintained their positive momentum in the last few months since the lifting of travel restrictions in the region, with a 378.7% increase in traffic in February 2023 compared to February 2022. Capacity increased by 176.4 percent, and the occupancy rate increased by 34.9%, becoming the second highest among regions with 82.5%.

Compared to February 2022, European carriers reported a 47.9% traffic increase. Capacity grew by 29.7%, and occupancy factor increased by 9.1 points to 73.7%, the lowest level among regions. Middle East airlines saw a 75.0% increase in traffic compared to February a year ago. Capacity increased by 40.5%, and occupancy factor increased by 15.8 points to 80.0%.

North American carriers’ traffic increased by 67.4% in February 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Capacity increased by 39.5%, and occupancy factor increased by 12.8 points to 76.6%.

Latin American airlines achieved a 44.1% increase in traffic compared to the same month in 2022. February capacity increased by 34.0%, and the occupancy rate increased by 5.8 points, reaching 82.7%, the highest rate among the regions.

For African airlines, traffic increased by 90.7% in February 2023 compared to a year ago, capacity increased by 61.7%, and the occupancy rate increased by 11.4 points to 75.0%.

Japan’s domestic traffic increased by 161.4 percent in February from a year ago and is now at 89.9 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Domestic air travel demand in the US increased by 10.6% in February, 0.7% above February 2019 levels.