Peak travel season ends on a high note in August

Geneva : The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for August 2022 showing continued momentum in the air travel recovery.
Total traffic in August 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 67.7 per cent compared to August 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 73.7 per cent of pre-crisis levels.
Domestic traffic for August 2022 was up 26.5 per cent compared to the year-ago period. Total August 2022 domestic traffic was at 85.4 per cent of the August 2019 level.
International traffic rose 115.6 per cent versus August 2021 with airlines in Asia delivering the strongest year-over-year growth rates. August 2022 international RPKs reached 67.4 per cent of August 2019 levels.
Int'l passenger markets
Asia-Pacific airlines had a 449.2 per cent rise in August traffic compared to August 2021. Capacity rose 167.0 per cent and the load factor was up 40.1 percentage points to 78.0 per cent. While the region experienced the strongest year-over-year growth, remaining travel restrictions in China continue to hamper the overall recovery for the region.
European carriers' August traffic climbed 78.8 per cent versus August 2021. Capacity rose 48.0 per cent, and load factor increased 14.7 percentage points to 85.5 per cent. The region had the second highest load factor after North America.
Middle Eastern airlines' traffic rose 144.9 per cent in August compared to August 2021. Capacity rose 72.2 per cent versus the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 23.7 percentage points to 79.8 per cent.
North American carriers saw a 110.4 per cent traffic rise in August versus the 2021 period. Capacity rose 69.7 per cent, and load factor climbed 16.9 percentage points to 87.2 per cent, which was the highest among the regions.
Latin American airlines' August traffic rose 102.5 per cent compared to the same month in 2021. August capacity rose 80.8 per cent and loakd factor increased 8.9 percentage points to 83.5 per cent.