In a new report, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the post-COVID recovery continued in JUL 2023 for passenger demand. Worldwide air traffic in JUL 2023 rose 26.2% compared to the same month in 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 95.6% of pre-COVID levels.
According to IATA, overall domestic traffic for JUL 2022 rose 21.5% versus JUL 2022 and was 8.3% above the JUL 2019 results.
Global international traffic rose 29.6% compared to the same month in 2022 with all markets showing "robust growth." The passenger load factor (PLF) for the industry reached 85.7% which is the highest monthly international PLF ever recorded, according to IATA.
“Planes were full during July as people continue to travel in ever greater numbers. Importantly, forward ticket sales indicate that traveller confidence remains high. And there is every reason to be optimistic about the continuing recovery,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
International Markets Compared
- North American carriers had a 17.7% traffic rise in JUL 2023 versus the 2022 period. IATA notes capacity increased by 17.2%, and load factor improved by 0.3 percentage points to 90.3%, which was the highest among the regions for a second consecutive month.
- Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 105.8% increase in JUL 2023 traffic compared to JUL 2022, continuing to lead the regions. According to IATA, capacity climbed 96.2% and the load factor increased by 3.9 percentage points to 84.5%.
- European carriers’ JUL traffic rose 13.8% versus JUL 2022. Capacity increased by 13.6%, and load factor increased by 0.1 percentage points to 87.0%.
- Middle Eastern airlines posted a 22.6% increase in JUL traffic compared to a year ago. Capacity rose 22.1% and load factor climbed 0.3 percentage points to 82.6%.
- Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 25.3% compared to the same month in 2022. JUL 2023 capacity climbed 21.2% and load factor rose 2.9 percentage points to 89.1%.
- African airlines saw a 25.6% traffic increase in JUL 2023 versus a year ago, the second-highest percentage gain among the regions. JUL capacity was up 27.4% and load factor fell 1.0 percentage points to 73.9%, the lowest among the regions. IATA notes that for the second month in a row, Africa was the only region to see capacity growth outrun traffic demand.
Domestically, U.S. airlines' demand climbed 11.1% in JUL which was 3% above JUL 2019 levels.
“The Northern Hemisphere summer is living up to expectations for very strong traffic demand,” said Walsh.
For more information, visit IATA's website.
