The demand for travel is clear, and the latest data from Iata shows that total air traffic in 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 36,9% compared with 2022.
Globally, for the full year 2023, traffic was at 94,1% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels.
Traffic this past December rose 25,3% compared with the same period in 2022 and reached 97,5% of December 2019 figures. Fourth quarter traffic was at 98,2% of 2019, indicating a strong recovery.
Domestic traffic for 2023 rose 30,4% compared with the prior year and 3,9% above the full year in 2019. December domestic traffic was up 27% from the last year and 2,3% more than traffic for the same month in 2019.
African airlines’ annual traffic rose 38,7% in 2023 versus the prior year. Full-year 2023 capacity was up 38,3%, and load factor climbed 0,2 percentage points to 71,9%, the lowest among regions. December traffic for African airlines rose 9,5% over December 2022.
“The strong post-pandemic rebound continued in 2023. December traffic stood just 2,5% below 2019 levels, with a strong performance in quarter 4, teeing up airlines for a return to normal growth patterns in 2024. The recovery in travel is good news. The restoration of connectivity is powering the global economy as people travel to do business, further their educations, take hard-earned vacations, and much more,” said Willie Walsh, Iata’s Director General.
“But to maximise the benefits of air travel in the post-pandemic world, governments need to take a strategic approach. That means providing cost-efficient infrastructure to meet demand, incentivising Sustainable Aviation Fuel production to meet our net zero carbon emission goal by 2050, and adopting regulations that deliver a clear cost-benefit. Completing the recovery must not be an excuse for governments to forget the critical role of aviation to increasing the prosperity and well-being of people and businesses the world over.”
