Air passenger traffic in May 2023 increased by 39.1% compared to May 2022. This is the second month in a row that domestic traffic has exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that load factors, which measure how full planes are, reached 81.8% in May, which is close to pre-pandemic levels.
International traffic also increased by 40.9% in May compared to May 2022. All markets recorded strong growth, with carriers in the Asia-Pacific region leading the way. International revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) reached 90.8% of May 2019 levels, with Middle East and North American airlines exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said that the strong growth in air passenger traffic is a sign that the industry is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the busy Northern summer travel season is expected to see even more growth.
Some additional details:
- Domestic traffic in May 2023 was 5.3% above the May 2019 level.
- International traffic in May 2023 was 90.8% of the May 2019 level.
- Middle East and North American airlines exceeded pre-pandemic levels of international traffic in May 2023.
- The busy Northern summer travel season is expected to see even more growth in air passenger traffic.