Geneva : International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the post-covid recovery momentum continued in July 2023 for passenger markets as global air traffic is now at 95.6 per cent of pre-covid levels.

Total traffic in July 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) is up 26.2 per cent compared to July 2022. Domestic traffic for July rose 21.5 per cent versus July 2022 and was 8.3 per cent above the July 2019 results.

IATA mentioned in its report that July RPKs are the highest ever recorded, strongly supported by surging demand in the China domestic market.

International traffic climbed 29.6 per cent compared to the same month a year ago with all markets showing robust growth. International RPKs reached 88.7 per cent of July 2019 levels. The passenger load factor (PLF) for the industry reached 85.7 per cent which is the highest monthly international PLF ever recorded.

About the growth, Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, said, "Planes were full during July as people continue to travel in ever greater numbers. Importantly, forward ticket sales indicate that traveller confidence remains high and there is every reason to be optimistic about the continuing recovery,"

International Passenger Markets

Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 105.8 per cent increase in July 2023 traffic compared to July 2022, continuing to lead the regions. Capacity climbed 96.2 per cent and the load factor increased by 3.9 percentage points to 84.5 per cent.

European carriers' July traffic rose 13.8 per cent versus July 2022. Capacity increased 13.6 per cent, and load factor edged up 0.1 percentage points to 87.0 per cent.

Middle Eastern airlines posted a 22.6 per cent increase in July traffic compared to a year ago. Capacity rose 22.1 per cent and load factor climbed 0.3 percentage points to 82.6 per cent.

North American carriers had a 17.7 per cent traffic rise in July 2023 versus the 2022 period. Capacity increased 17.2 per cent, and load factor improved 0.3 percentage points to 90.3 per cent, which was the highest among the regions for a second consecutive month.

Latin American airlines' traffic rose 25.3 per cent compared to the same month in 2022. July capacity climbed 21.2 per cent and load factor rose 2.9 percentage points to 89.1 per cent.

African airlines saw a 25.6 per cent traffic increase in July 2023 versus a year ago, the second highest percentage gain among the regions. July capacity was up 27.4 per cent and load factor fell 1.0 percentage point to 73.9 per cent, the lowest among the regions. For a second month in a row, Africa was the only region to see capacity growth outrun traffic demand.

"The Northern Hemisphere summer is living up to expectations for very strong traffic demand. While the industry was largely prepared to accommodate a return to pre-pandemic levels of operations, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our infrastructure providers," added Walsh.

"The numbers continue to tell us that people want and need air connectivity. That is why governments should be working with us so that people can travel safely, sustainably and efficiently," concluded IATA's Director General.