Air passenger traffic jumps 39.1% in May 2023 - IATA

KUALA LUMPUR: Total air passenger traffic in May 2023 jumped 39.1 per cent compared to May 2022 as load factor rose to 2019 levels, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The association said domestic traffic for May rose 36.4 per cent compared to a year ago while total May 2023 domestic traffic was 5.3 per cent above the May 2019 level.

This is the second month in a row that domestic traffic has exceeded pre-pandemic levels, it said in a statement

"We saw more good news in May. Planes were full, with the average load factors reaching 81.8 per cent.

"Domestic markets reported growth on pre-pandemic levels. And, heading into the busy Northern summer travel season, international demand reached 90.8 per cent of pre-pandemic levels,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh.

Meanwhile, international traffic climbed 40.9 per cent versus May 2022 with all markets recording strong growth, led once again by carriers in the Asia-Pacific region.

International revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) reached 90.8 per cent of May 2019 levels, with Middle East and North American airlines exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to the association. - Bernama