IATA passenger data for March 2022 showed the recovery of air travel continues
Impacts from the conflict in Ukraine on air travel demand were quite limited overall while Omicron-related effects continued to be confined largely to Asian domestic markets.
Total traffic in March 2022 (RPKs) was up 76% compared to March 2021.
Although that was lower than the 115.9% rise in February year-over-year demand, volumes in March were the closest to 2019 pre-pandemic levels, at 41% below.
March domestic traffic was up 11.7% compared to a year-ago, which is below the 59.4% year-over-year improvement recorded in February.
This largely was a result of the Omicron-related lockdowns in China. March domestic RPKs were down 23.2% compared to March 2019.
“With barriers to travel coming down, we are seeing the long-expected surge in pent-up demand finally being realised,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Unfortunately, we are also seeing long delays at many airports with insufficient resources to handle the growing numbers. This must be addressed urgently to avoid frustrating consumer enthusiasm.”
Asia-Pacific airlines had a 197.1% rise in March traffic compared to March 2021.
While China and Japan remain restrictive to foreign visitors, other countries are becoming more relaxed, including South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand.
