International Air Transport Association: Passenger demand remained strong in January; The air cargo industry will mark a soft start in 2023

        The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that demand for air travel will continue to recover in 2023 based on January results. Compared to January 2022, total traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPK) in January 2023 increased by 67.0%. Globally, traffic is currently at 84.2% of January 2019 levels. Thanks to China’s lifting of its zero-Covid-19 policy, domestic passenger traffic increased by 32.7% year-on-year in January 2023.
        The total domestic flow in January 2023 was 97.4% of the January 2019 level. International traffic increased by 104.0% compared to January 2022, with all markets recording strong growth, led by operators in the Asia-Pacific region. International revenue kilometers reached 77% of January 2019 levels.
        “Air travel demand is off to a strong start in 2023. The rapid lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on domestic and international travel in China bodes well for the industry’s continued rapid recovery from the pandemic throughout the year. And importantly, we didn’t.” t seen Many of today’s economic and geopolitical uncertainties are dampening demand for travel,” said Willie Walsh, CEO of the International Air Transport Association. “Strong travel demand continues during the Northern Hemisphere’s traditionally slower winter, setting the stage for a busier spring and summer. At a time when many are just beginning to enjoy newly restored freedom to travel, it is important to see that the Dutch government has outlined plans to limit them movement through a unilateral and unfair reduction in operations at Schiphol Airport is particularly disappointing.”
        The International Air Transport Association also released global air cargo market data for January 2023, showing weaker air cargo demand amid ongoing economic headwinds. Global demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (CTK), fell 14.9% compared to January 2022 (-16.2% for international transport). Capacity (measured in available freight tonne-kilometres, ACTK) increased by 3.9% compared to January 2022. This is the first year-on-year capacity increase since October 2022. Compared to January 2022, the volume of international cargo transportation increased by 1.4%. ACTK reflects a strong recovery in spare capacity in the passenger aviation market, offsetting the decline in international capacity provided by dedicated cargo aircraft.
        “With freight demand down 14.9% in January and capacity up 3.9%, 2023 will begin 2023 in a challenging business environment. With that comes ongoing uncertainty, including the war in Ukraine, inflation and labor shortages.” “But there is good reason to be cautiously optimistic about air cargo.” “Output remains higher than pre-pandemic. China’s transition from a zero-COVID policy, much faster than expected, will stabilize production conditions in the largest passenger air cargo market. As companies strengthen their cooperation with China, it will bring much-needed pulse”. are in demand,” said IATA’s Walsh.
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Post time: Jan-11-2024