Airlines reported that passenger traffic reached 95,7% of the 2019 level, in August, according to International Air Transport Association (THERE IT IS).
In August 2023, total worldwide passenger traffic (measured in RPK – Revenue Passenger Kilometers) increased by 28,4% compared to August 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 95,7% of pre-Covid levels.
Internal traffic it increased in August by 25,4% compared to August 2022 and was 9,2% higher than August 2019. This development is largely due to domestic demand in China.
International traffic increased by 30,4% compared to the same month last year. All markets posted double-digit percentage gains year-over-year. International RPKs reached 88,5% of August 2019 levels.
"Air travel demand performed well in August. Year-to-date international traffic is up 50% on last year and ticket sales data shows international bookings have strengthened in the latter part of the year , said Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA.
According to IATA's latest forecast, air transport should return to pre-pandemic passenger numbers in 2023, namely 4,35 billion compared to 4,54 in 2019. Airlines, on average globally, are expected to achieve profits this year estimated at $9,8 billion, after losing about $183 billion cumulatively between 2020 and 2022.