Worldwide air traffic continued to grow in February

09-04-23

Total traffic in February 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) increased by 55.5% compared to February 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 84.9% of February 2019 levels.

Domestic traffic in February was up 25.2% year-on-year. Total February 2023 domestic traffic was 97.2% of February 2019 levels.

International traffic increased by 89.7% compared to February 2022, with all markets recording strong growth, led once again by operators in the Asia-Pacific region. International RPKs reached 77.5% of February 2019 levels.

"Despite uncertain economic signals, demand for air travel remains strong around the world and particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The industry is now around 15% below 2019 demand levels and that gap is narrowing each month," said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.

International passenger market

Asia-Pacific airlines experienced a 378.7% increase in traffic in February 2023 compared to February 2022, maintaining the very positive pace of recent months since the lifting of travel restrictions in the region. Capacity increased 176.4% and the occupancy factor rose 34.9 percentage points to 82.5%, the second highest among the regions.

European operators recorded a 47.9% increase in traffic compared to February 2022. Capacity increased by 29.7% and the occupancy factor increased by 9.1 percentage points to 73.7%, the lowest among the regions.

Middle East airlines experienced a 75.0% increase in traffic compared to February last year. Capacity increased by 40.5% and the occupancy factor rose 15.8 percentage points to 80.0%.

North American carrier traffic increased 67.4% in February 2023 over the 2022 period. Capacity increased 39.5% and occupancy factor increased 12.8 percentage points to 76.6%.

Latin American airlines saw a 44.1% increase in traffic compared to the same month in 2022. February capacity increased 34.0% and the occupancy factor increased 5.8 percentage points to 82.7%, the highest among the regions.

African airline traffic increased 90.7% in February 2023 compared to the previous year. February capacity increased 61.7% and the occupancy factor rose 11.4 percentage points to 75.0%.

"People are flying in increasing numbers. With Easter and the Easter holidays, we expect large numbers of travellers to take to the skies in many parts of the world. They should do so with the confidence that airlines are rebuilding the resilience they suffered from the pandemic. Other players in the air travel value chain, including airports, air navigation service providers and airport security teams, must have the same commitment to ensure that our customers can enjoy a safe holiday," Walsh said.