Demand for air transport rose by 36.9% in 2023 but has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels

Demand for air transport, one of the sectors still burdened by the Covid-19 pandemic, indicated an increase of 36.9% in 2023 compared to the previous year, despite remaining at 94.1% of 2019 levels, before the health crisis. International Air Transport Association (IATA).

According to the annual data of the Airlines Association, international traffic grew by 41.6% compared to 2022 and is equivalent to 88.6% of 2019 levels, while domestic traffic, which had already recovered from the epidemic half a year ago, rose by 30.4% and is equivalent to 3.9%. % higher than data from five years ago.

IATA also published statistics for December, a month in which international traffic was 24.2% higher than in the same period in 2022, and domestic traffic was 27% higher.

By region, demand in December 2023 in Asia Pacific rose 60.7%, and more modestly, but by double digits, in other markets: 16.4% in the Middle East, 16.3% in Latin America, and 12.5% ​​​​In Europe, for example.

In large domestic markets, China saw a year-on-year increase of 147.1% due to the low numbers the country continues to enjoy in 2022 due to the Zero Covid policy, while increases were 9.6% in the US, and 8.2% in the US. India or 6.6% in Australia, among others.

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Governments must implement strategies to increase demand: International Air Transport Association (IATA).

“Restoring connectivity boosts the global economy, as people travel to do business, continue their studies, take well-deserved time off and much more,” said Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association.

However, the head of the airline association stressed that to maximize the benefits of air transport in the post-pandemic world, governments must “adopt a strategic approach.”

According to Walsh, some of the outstanding tasks are providing cost-effective infrastructure to meet demand, incentivizing sustainable aviation fuel production to meet the goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, or adopting regulations that provide a clear cost-benefit relationship.

He concluded by saying: “Completing the recovery should not be an excuse for governments to forget the essential role of aviation in increasing the prosperity and well-being of individuals and businesses around the world.”

With information from EFE

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