IATA: May Air Traffic at 96.1% Pre-Covid 2019 Levels

Global air traffic in May came one step closer to pre-pandemic levels reaching 96.1 percent of 2019 figures for the same month, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA) this week.

According to IATA’s latest data, total traffic in May 2023 increased by 39.1 percent compared to May 2022 with domestic traffic up by 36.4 percent compared to the year-ago period. Total May 2023 domestic traffic was up on May 2019 levels by 5.3 percent exceeding pre-pandemic levels for a second consecutive month.

International traffic increased by 40.9 percent over May 2022 with all markets recording strong growth driven once again by Asia-Pacific region airlines. Total load factor rose to 81.8 percent, driven by North American airlines at 86.3 percent.

“We saw more good news in May. Planes were full, with the average load factors reaching 81.8 percent. Domestic markets reported growth on pre-pandemic levels. And, heading into the busy Northern summer travel season, international demand reached 90.8 percent of pre-pandemic levels,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.

European airlines marked a 19.8 percent increase in traffic in May compared to same month a year ago with capacity up by 14.2 percent and load factor by 3.9 percentage points to 84.4 percent.

North American airline traffic rose by 31.0 percent in May 2023 compared to the same month in 2022 with capacity up by 23.2 percent and load factor by 5.1 percentage points to 85.1 percent, the highest performance of all regions under review.

“People need and love to fly. The strong demand for travel is one element supporting a return to profitability by airlines,” said Walsh, adding that he expects carriers globally to post 9.8 billion dollars in net profit this year.