KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — Air travel continued its recovery momentum in October 2022 with total traffic for the period, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rising 44.6 per cent compared to October 2021.
In a statement today, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said globally, traffic is now at 74.2 per cent of October 2019 levels.
IATA said domestic traffic for October 2022 slipped 0.8 per cent compared to the year-ago period as stringent COVID-related travel restrictions in China dampened global figures.
“Total October 2022 domestic traffic stood at 77.9 per cent of October 2019 levels, (while) domestic forward bookings remain at around 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels,” it said.
IATA said international traffic climbed 102.4 per cent versus October 2021.
October 2022 international RPK reached 72.1 per cent of October 2019 levels with all markets recording strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific, said the association.
Forward bookings for international travel increased to around 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, following re-openings announced by multiple Asian economies.
“Traditionally, by October, we are into the slower autumn travel season in the northern hemisphere so it is highly reassuring to see demand and forward bookings continuing to be strong.
“It bodes well for the coming winter season and the ongoing recovery,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh.
Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific airlines had a 440.4 per cent rise in October traffic compared to October 2021, easily the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions but off a very low 2021 base, the statement noted.
It also said capacity for this region rose 165.6 per cent and the load factor climbed 39.5 percentage points to 77.7 per cent.
