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Tag: IATA

  • African airlines post 38pc rise in traffic for 2023

    African airlines post 38pc rise in traffic for 2023

    African carriers’ passenger traffic outpaced global growth in the full year 2023 backed by higher demand for air travel.

    Data by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that airlines in the continent posted an annual traffic growth of 38.7pc last year compared to 2022, beating global passenger traffic growth of 36.9pc.

    Full year capacity on the other hand rose to 38.3pc even as load factor which is measures passenger capacity used rose marginally by 0.2pc to 71.9pc.

    According to IATA the recovery in air travel continued in December 2023 and total 2023 traffic edged even closer to matching pre-pandemic demand.

    “The strong post-pandemic rebound continued in 2023. December traffic stood just 2.5pc 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,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.

    December 2023 traffic for African airlines rose 9.5pc when compared to December 2022.

    Globally, full year 2023 traffic was at 94.1pc of pre-pandemic (2019) levels as December 2023 total traffic rose 25.3pc compared to December 2022 and reached 97.5pc of the December 2019 level.

    Fourth quarter traffic was at 98.2pc of 2019, reflecting the strong recovery towards the end of the year.

    “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 maximize 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, incentivizing 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,” added Walsh.

    Asia-Pacific airlines posted a the strongest growth year-on-year at 126.1pc as capacity rose 101.8pc and the load factor climbed 9pc to 83.1pc

    European carriers’ full year traffic climbed 22pc with a capacity of increase17.5pc, while Middle Eastern airlines passenger traffic grew by 33.3pc during the year under review.

    North American carriers reported a 28.3pc annual traffic rise last year with a capacity increased of 22.4pc while airlines operating in the Latin American market  posted a 28.6pc traffic risr and an annual capacity growth of 25.4pc

  • African airlines fly 25pc more passengers in July

    African airlines fly 25pc more passengers in July

    African airlines recorded a 25.6pc passenger traffic increase in the month of July this year compared to the same period last year.

    Latest data by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that for the second month in a row, passenger capacity outpaced demand in July as capacity rose by 27.4pc.

    According to IATA, International passenger traffic increased 29.6pc compared to the same month a year ago with all markets showing robust growth.

    “Planes were full during July as people continue to travel in ever greater numbers. Importantly, forward ticket sales indicate that traveler confidence remains high. And there is every reason to be optimistic about the continuing recovery,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.

    Asia-Pacific carriers continue to record fastest growth with passenger traffic growing by 105.8pc in July compared to same period last year as capacity climbed 96.2pc.

    European airlines registered the lowest passenger traffic growth at 13.8pc during the period under review as capacity went up 13.6pc.

    “The Northern Hemisphere summer is living up to expectations for very strong traffic demand. While the industry was largely prepared to accommodate a return to pre-pandemic levels of operations, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our infrastructure providers,” added Walsh.

    On the other hand, Middle Eastern flag carriers posted a 22.6pc increase in July traffic compared to a year ago as capacity rose 22.1pc while North American carriers had a 17.7pc traffic rise and a 17.2pc capacity increase.

    IATA data also shows Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 25.3pc compared to the same month in 2022 as capacity climbed 21.2pc.

  • African airlines post a 2.4pc drop in cargo demand – IATA

    African airlines post a 2.4pc drop in cargo demand – IATA

    Weak demand owing to rising inflation coupled with the armed conflict in Sudan have seen airlines in Africa record a 2.4pc decline in cargo demand in a year to May according to latest data by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

    The drop in demand comes as the airlines recorded increased capacity year-on-year according to the May 2023 global air cargo markets by the association.

    “Notably, the growth on the Africa to Asia trade route slowed significantly in May from 18.5pc in April to 11pc, possibly due to the impact of the conflict in Sudan since mid-April. Capacity in May was up 9.2pc compared to the same month in 2022,” said IATA.

    IATA notes that global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), fell 5.2pc compared to May 2022 from a 6pc decline reported for international operations while capacity, as measured by available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), rose 14.5pc compared to May 2022 in what was primarily driven by belly capacity which increases as demand in the passenger business recovers. Capacity is now 5.9pc above May 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels.

    “Trading conditions for air cargo continue to be challenging with a 5.2pc fall in demand and several economic indicators pointing towards weakness. The second half of the year, however, should bring some improvements. As inflation moderates in many markets, it is widely expected that central bank rate hikes will taper. This should help stimulate economic activity with a positive impact on demand for air cargo,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

    In Asia-Pacific region, airlines saw their air cargo volumes decrease by 3.3pc during the period compared to the same month in 2022 blamed on stronger annual contraction in international air cargo demand from -3.5pc in April to -6.4pc this month.

    Available capacity in the region increased by 38.3pc compared to May 2022 as more belly capacity came online from the passenger side of the business.

    North American carriers saw the weakest performance of all regions for the third consecutive month with an 8.1pc decrease in cargo volumes in May 2023 compared to the same month in 2022 as capacity increased 1.2pc, the association said.

    European carriers and Middle Eastern carriers experienced a 6.7pc and 3.1pc year-on-year decrease in cargo volumes in May 2023 respectively.

    Only Latin American carriers had the only positive performance in May 2023 posting a 3.6pc increase in cargo volumes compared to May 2022 when capacity was up 14.7pc compared to the same month in 2022.