Global air passenger volumes surged by 31%, year-on-year, in June, according to latest monthly figures from aviation industry group the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Domestic passenger traffic was up by over 27%, with international traffic up nearly 34% on the corresponding month last year.
On a global basis, air passenger traffic is now at 94.2% of pre-Covid levels.
According to IATA, for the first half of 2023, total traffic was up 47.2% compared to the same six months last year.
Strong double-digit percentage growth was measured in all geographic areas, with Asia-Pacific posting the strongest growth; having been in mothballs during Covid the longest.
“The northern summer travel season got off to a strong start in June with double-digit demand growth and average load factors topping 84%. Planes are full which is good news for airlines, local economies, and travel and tourism dependent jobs. All benefit from the industry’s ongoing recovery,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Mr Walsh said: “As strong as travel demand has been, arguably it could be even stronger. Demand is outrunning capacity growth. Well documented problems in the aviation supply chain mean that many airlines have not taken delivery of all the new, more environmentally friendly aircraft they had expected, while numerous aircraft are parked awaiting critical spare parts. And, for the fleet that is in service, some air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are failing to deliver the requisite capacity and resilience to meet travel demand. Delays and trimmed schedules are frustrating for both passengers and their airlines. Governments cannot continue to ignore the accountability of ANSPs in places where passenger rights regimes place the brunt of accountability on airlines.”
