KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — The total global traffic for air travel in July 2023, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), rose 26.2 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), said the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The global traffic is now at 95.6 per cent of pre-COVID levels, the trade organisation said in a statement.
“Planes were full during July as people continued to travel in ever greater numbers. Importantly, forward ticket sales indicate that traveller confidence remains high, and there is every reason to be optimistic about the continuing recovery,” said director-general Willie Walsh.
IATA, which represents some 300 airlines that comprise 83 per cent of global air traffic, said domestic traffic for July rose 21.5 per cent y-o-y and was 8.3 per cent above the July 2019 results.
July RPKs were the highest ever recorded, strongly supported by surging demand in China’s domestic market, it said.
As for international traffic, IATA said it climbed 29.6 per cent y-o-y, with all markets showing robust growth.
International RPKs reached 88.7 per cent of July 2019 levels, with the passenger load factor (PLF) for the industry reaching 85.7 per cent, which is the highest monthly international PLF ever recorded, it said.
IATA said Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 105.8 per cent y-o-y increase in July 2023 traffic, continuing to lead the regions.
Capacity climbed 96.2 per cent, and the load factor increased by 3.9 percentage points to 84.5 per cent.
