IATA confirms high demand for the coming months 

18-05-23

• The International Air Transport Association noted high levels of confidence among travellers for the peak summer holiday season in the North.

This corresponds with forward bookings data for the first quarter of 2023 from May to September, which register 35% above 2022 levels.

The survey covering 4,700 travellers in 11 countries shows that:

79 % of travellers surveyed said they were planning travel in the June to August 2023 period, while 85 % said peak travel season disruptions should not come as a surprise, 80 % said they expected smooth travel with post-pandemic issues resolved .

Advance bookings data indicate that higher growth is expected in:

Asia Pacific region (134.7%). Middle East (42.9%). Europe (39.9%). Africa (36.4%). Latin America (21.4%). North America (14.1%)

"Expectations are high for this year's peak northern summer travel season. For many, this will be their first post-pandemic travel experience. While some disruption can be expected, there is a clear expectation that the ramp-up issues faced by some key hub airports in 2022 will have been resolved. To meet strong demand, airlines are planning schedules based on the capacity declared by airports, border control, ground handling services and air navigation service providers. Over the coming months, all industry players must now comply," said Nick Careen, IATA's senior vice president of operations, safety and security.         

Collaboration, sufficient staffing and accurate information sharing are essential to minimise operational disruptions and their impact on passengers. The key is to ensure that declared and scheduled capabilities are available.

"A lot of work has gone into preparing for the peak summer travel season in the north. Success relies on the preparedness of all players in the supply chain. If each player delivers what has been stated, there should be no last-minute requirements to scale back the schedules that travellers have booked," Careen said.

Labour unrest, particularly in France, is a cause for concern. Eurocontrol data on the impact of strikes in France earlier this year shows that cancellations may increase by more than a third.

"We need to be very vigilant in Europe, where strike action has caused major disruptions earlier this year. Governments must have effective contingency plans in place so that actions by those providing essential services such as air traffic control maintain minimum levels of service and do not disrupt the hard-won holidays of those travelling or put the livelihoods of those in the travel and tourism sectors at risk," said Careen.