ACI Europe, the European airports association, has published the first preliminary data. on the impact of the Omicron variant on European passenger traffic.
Following South Africa's public announcement of the new variant to the WHO, it is estimated that in the 3-week period that followed (weeks 47 to 49), Passenger traffic at European airports fell by -201TP3Q. Over the same period, fill factors fell from 66 % (week 46) to 54 % (week 49).
L'ACI However, there has been a slight upturn, due to the approach of the festive season. The 50th week saw passenger traffic increase by +9% compared with the previous week. Load factors recovered two points to 56%.
For Olivier Jankovec, Managing Director of ACI EuropeAs a result, "it is not surprising that the flight bans to southern Africa and the fluctuating travel restrictions imposed by many governments have had a direct impact on traffic levels in recent weeks. Business travel led the decline. They are now followed by leisure travel, given the extreme uncertainty and the prospect of further restrictions on travel and local life".
The first quarter of 2022
ACI also warns that the upturn in passenger traffic could be reversed in recent weeks and for the rest of the year. According to its forecasts, passenger traffic on the European network should remain 60% lower than the volumes recorded before the pandemic..
Olivier Jankovec is rather pessimistic about the first quarter. "Looking beyond the festive period, there is no doubt that the market will continue to grow.Omicron's impact on passenger traffic will be felt in the first quarter of 2022" .
Much will depend on the measures adopted by governments on travel conditions. And the current trend among politicians is one of pre-emptive anticipation...
