INTERNATIONAL. Airline passenger traffic reached 94.1% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Traffic in 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) climbed by +36.9% compared to 2022.
Fourth-quarter traffic reached 98.2% of 2019 figures, reflecting the strong recovery towards the end of the year.
International traffic in 2023 climbed +41.6% year-on-year and reached 88.6% of 2019 levels. Q4 traffic was at 94.5% of 2019.
Domestic traffic for 2023 rose +30.4% compared to 2022 and was +3.9% above the full-year 2019 level. Q4 traffic was +4.4% higher than the same quarter in 2019.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said: “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. 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 (SAF) 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.” ✈
