The year 2023 has enabled the world's air transport industry to expand recovery, starting in 2021. The first figures released by the Association internationale of air transport (IATA) indicate that total traffic in 2023, measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPK, increased by 36.9 % compared with 2022.
Overall, traffic reached 94.1 % pre-pandemic levels. At 5.9% below 2019, civil aviation has returned to near-normal levels. This figure already confirms that 2024 should exceed the results for 2019, the last year before the health crisis. In December 2023, traffic even reached 97.5...
The year 2023 has enabled the world's air transport industry to expand recovery, starting in 2021. The first figures released by the Association internationale of air transport (IATA) indicate that total traffic in 2023, measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPK, increased by 36.9 % compared with 2022.
Overall, traffic reached 94.1 % pre-pandemic levels. At 5.9% below 2019, civil aviation has returned to near-normal levels. This figure already confirms that 2024 should exceed the results for 2019, the last year before the health crisis. In December 2023, traffic even reached 97.5 % of the December 2019 level. At 98.2% of its 2019 level, fourth-quarter traffic reflects the strong recovery at the end of the year.
The activity of the international traffic is still more affected than that of the domestic traffic. This is due to a tense geopolitical situation that continues to lead to disruptions in travel movements. Europe continues to be affected by Russian-Ukrainian conflict while the Middle East is affected by theclash between Hamas and Israel. Political instability in certain parts of Africa also continues to have an impact on traffic flows, particularly in West Africa.
If international traffic in 2023 has indeed seen an increase of 41.6 % compared to 2022. still 11.4% below its 2019 level. However, in the last quarter, it reached 94.5 % of the 2019 level. On the other hand, domestic traffic grew by 30.4 % year-on-year. Domestic aviation has exceeded its 2019 level by 3.9%. And even by 4.4% its 2019 level in the last quarter.
" The strong post-pandemic rebound continued in 2023. December traffic was just 2.5% below 2019 levels, with a strong performance in the fourth quarter. He announces a return to normal growth patterns in 2024. The upturn in travel is good news. Restoring connectivity is boosting the global economy as people travel for business, education and holidays." comments the Director General of IATA, Willie Walsh.
Europe exceeds its 2019 traffic levels for the first time in December
Le annual traffic of european carriers increased by 22 % compared to 2022. Capacity increased by 17.5 % and the load factor rose by 3.1 points to 83.8 1TP3Q. In December, traffic was higher than in the corresponding month of 2019. For the first time since the pandemic!
Airlines in the region Asia-Pacific recorded a 126.1 % increase in international traffic for 2023 compared with 2022. Capacity increased by 101.8 % and load factor climbed 9 points to 83.1 %.
Middle East airlines experienced a 33.3 1TP3Q increase in traffic in 2023 compared with 2022. Capacity increased by 26.0% and load factor improved by 4.4 points to 80.1%.
North American carriers saw traffic increase by 28.3 % between 2022 and 2023. Capacity increased by 22.4 % and load factor gained 3.9 points to 84.6 %.
Latin American airlines reported a 28.6 1TP3Q increase in traffic. in 2023 compared with 2022. Annual capacity increased by 25.4% and the load factor rose by 2.1 points to 84.7%.
And finally.., African airlines saw their traffic jump by 38.7 % between 2022 and 2023. Capacity increased by 38.3 % and the load factor rose by 0.2 points to 71.9 %.
Promoting greener air transport
" But to maximise the benefits of air travel in the post-pandemic world, governments need to adopt a strategic approach, warns Willie Walsh. This means putting in place cost-effective infrastructures to meet demand. Encouraging production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to achieve our goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2050. And finally, to adopt regulations that present a clear cost-benefit ratio." analysed IATA's Director General. " The completion of the recovery must not be used as an excuse for governments to forget the essential role of aviation in increasing the prosperity and well-being of people and businesses around the world." he explains.
