The recovery in air travel continued in October as total traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 44.6 percent compared to October 2021, according to the latest figures of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Globally, traffic is now at 74.2 percent of October 2019 levels. International traffic climbed 102.4 percent versus October 2021.
October 2022 international RPKs reached 72.1 percent of October 2019 levels with all markets recording strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific.
Forward bookings for international travel increased to around 75 percent of pre-pandemic levels, following the re-openings announced by multiple Asian economies.
"It is highly reassuring to see demand and forward bookings continuing to be so strong. It bodes well for the coming winter season and the ongoing recovery,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Asia-Pacific airlines had a 440.4 percent rise in October traffic compared to October 2021, easily the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions, but off a very low 2021 base.
Capacity rose 165.6 percent and the load factor climbed 39.5 percentage points to 77.7 percent.
Middle Eastern airlines saw a 114.7 percent traffic rise in October compared to October 2021. Capacity increased 55.7 percent versus the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 21.8 percentage points to 79.5 percent
European carriers’ October traffic climbed 60.8 percent versus October 2021. Capacity increased 34.7 percent, and load factor rose 13.8 percentage points to 84.8 percent, second highest among the regions.
North American carriers reported a 106.8 percent traffic rise in October versus the 2021 period. Capacity increased 54.1 percent and load factor climbed 21.4 percentage points to 83.8 percent.
Latin American airlines posted an 85.3 traffic rise compared to the same month in 2021. October capacity climbed 66.6 percent and load factor increased 8.7 percentage points to 86.0 percent, the highest among the regions.
African airlines’ traffic rose 84.5 percent in October versus a year ago. October 2022 capacity was up 46.9 percent and load factor climbed 14.5 percentage points to 71.3 percent, the lowest among regions.
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In the Domestic Passenger Markets, Australia almost tripled its October domestic traffic from last year (+292.9 percent); traffic now stands at 15.8 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
China’s domestic RPKs fell 58.7 percent in October and is now 69.4 percent below October 2019 levels.
“People are enjoying the freedom to travel, and businesses recognize the importance of air transport to their success," says Walsh.
"Governments need to pay attention to the message that air travel is fundamental to how we live and work. That reality should drive policies to enable aviation to operate as efficiently as possible while supporting the industry’s 2050 Net Zero emission goals with meaningful incentives to encourage the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels,” he concluded.