The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for December 2023 indicating that traffic has “edged even closer” to matching pre-pandemic demand.
Total 2023 air traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs, rose 36.9 per cent compared to 2022 and reached 94.1 per cent of 2019 levels.
Air traffic in December last year was up 25.3 per cent compared to the same month in 2022 and reached 97.5 per cent of December 2019 levels. Fourth quarter traffic was even closer to pre-pandemic activity at 98.2 per cent.
Figures released last month showed November 2023 air traffic came the closest to eclipsing pre-pandemic levels, at 99 per cent of November 2019 traffic.
European carriers' full year traffic climbed 22 per cent versus 2022 and capacity increased 17.5 per cent. December demand climbed 13.6 per cent
compared to the same month in 2022 and traffic was higher than the
corresponding month in 2019 for the first time since the
start of the pandemic.
Figures show international traffic in December 2023 climbed 24.2 per cent over December 2022, reaching 94.7 per cent of December 2019 figures. Total international traffic in 2023 climbed 41.6 per cent versus 2022 and reached 88.6 per cent of 2019 levels.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general said: “The strong post-pandemic rebound continued in 2023. December traffic stood just 2.5 per cent below 2019 levels, with a strong performance in quarter four, teeing-up airlines for a return to normal growth patterns in 2024. The recovery in travel is good news.”
But Walsh noted that in order to maximise the benefits of air travel in the post-pandemic world, governments needed to take a strategic approach. He said governments need to provide cost-efficient infrastructure to meet demand, incentivise Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, and adopt regulations that delivered a clear cost-benefit.
“Completing the recovery must not be an excuse for governments to forget the critical role of aviation to increasing the prosperity and wellbeing of people and businesses the world over,” he added.