Air Transport Association: Global air passenger demand rose 67% in January

The global demand for air travelers increased during the month of January 2023 by 67%, and the recovery in the air transport sector continues with the lifting of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that global air passenger demand increased by 67% in January 2023, compared to the previous year.

However, these numbers still represent only 84.2% of pre-corona levels (in the same month of 2019).

The union stated in a report issued on Wednesday that the recovery in demand for air travel will continue in 2023, based on the results of air traffic in January.

According to the report, domestic travel increased by 32.7% compared to the same period last year, thanks to the lifting of Corona restrictions in China.

The total domestic travel traffic for the month of January was about 97.4% of the level for the same month in 2019.

International traffic increased by 104%, compared to January 2022, with all markets reporting strong growth led by carriers in Asia Pacific.

International travel reached 77% of January 2019 levels.

Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said demand for air travel is off to a very healthy start to 2023.

Walsh said the rapid lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on Chinese and international travel bodes well, as the industry's strong recovery from the pandemic continues throughout the year.

The travel sector was one of the sectors most affected by the Corona pandemic during the years 2020 and 2021, then it began to recover since the last year.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) was founded in 1945 and represents about 260 airlines around the world, contributing about 83% of global air traffic.