The data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed that in October of this year, the total air traffic increased by 44.6 per cent compared to the figures for the same period last year. According to IATA, globally, air traffic is now up to 74.2 per cent of October 2019 levels. Such data also show that during October, domestic traffic fell by 0.8 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year as strict COVID-related travel restrictions in China dampened global figures.

At the same time, the total internal traffic was 77.9 per cent of the level of October 2019. Meanwhile, future domestic bookings continue at around 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. As for international traffic, it increased by 102.4 per cent compared to October 2021. In addition, during October, international RPKs peaked at 72.1 per cent of October 2019 levels, with all markets posting strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific. Further IATA data also revealed that future bookings for international travel rose to around 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

 “Traditionally, by October, we are into the slower autumn travel season in the Northern Hemisphere, so it is highly reassuring to see demand and forward bookings continuing to be so strong. It bodes well for the coming winter season and the ongoing recovery,” IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh noted.

Compared to the same month last year, Asia-Pacific airlines had a 440.4 per cent increase in traffic in October 2022. In this regard, it is among the region’s most robust rates from year to year. Thus, the capacity increased by 165.6 per cent and the load factor increased by 39.5 percentage points to 77.7 per cent.

European carriers’ October traffic increased by 60.8 per cent compared to October 2021, capacity increased by 34.7 per cent, and load factor increased by 13.8 percentage points to 84.8 per cent. Moreover, Middle East Airlines recorded an increase of 114.7 per cent in October compared to October a year ago.

At the same time, the capacity also increased by 55.7 per cent in contrast to the same period in 2021, and the load factor increased by 21.8 percentage points to 79.5 per cent. During this October, it was reported that North American Carriers saw a 106.8 per cent increase in traffic compared to the period of 2021. As a result, the capacity increased by 54.1 per cent, and the load factor increased by 21.4 percentage points to 83.8 per cent.

An increase in traffic two months ago was also seen by Latin American airlines by 85.3 per cent compared to the same month in 2021. The increase was also noted in capacity by 66.6 per cent and the load factor by 8.7 percentage points in 86.0 per cent, which is the highest among the regions. Besides, during October, the traffic of African airlines increased by 84.5 per cent compared to a year ago. October 2022 capacity increased by 46.9 per cent, and the load factor has risen by 14.5 percentage points to 71.3 per cent, the lowest among regions.