Following an Omicron-fuelled dip, global air ticket sales have surged in recent weeks.
Sales of international tickets jumped to 11% above 2019 levels between January 25 – February 8 2022, which is the fastest rise for any two-week period since the pandemic started.
"Momentum toward normalising traffic is growing. Vaccinated travelkers have the potential to travel much more extensively with fewer hassles than even a few weeks ago. This is giving growing numbers of travellers the confidence to buy tickets," said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
"Now we need to further accelerate the removal of travel restrictions. While recent progress is impressive, the world remains far from 2019 levels of connectivity."
IATA says 18 markets are open to vaccinated travellers without quarantine or prior testing, while 28 markets are open to vaccinated travellers without quarantine but with testing or other restrictions.
The trade group called for ‘a stop to the singling out of the travelling population for special measures.’
It wants the removal of all travel curbs including quarantine and testing for fully vaccinated passengers.
It also advocates for quarantine-free travel for the unvaccinated with a negative test result.
