Global demand for commercial Flights rose 10.7% last May compared to the same month in 2023, a growth trend that shows no signs of abating, said the International Air Transport Association (IATAfor its acronym in English).
On the other hand, international traffic grew by 14.6% compared to May of the previous year, while domestic traffic rose by only 4.7%, according to the monthly data of the airline association. As for air cargo, total demand increased by 14.7% compared to May 2023 levels, being the sixth consecutive month of double-digit year-over-year growth.
By region, demand in May in Asia Pacific increased by 27%, and more modestly in other markets, with 15.9% in Latin America, 14.1% in Africa, 11.7% in Europe and 9.7% in the Middle East.
IATA highlighted that routes from Asia Pacific to the Middle East are particularly strong at present, with 32% more demand than pre-pandemic levels.
Demand in major domestic markets increased at a stable pace in May, with China where it increased the most, 7.6%, while the increases were 6% in USAof 4.6% in Indiaof 4.4% in Australia and 0.6% in Brazil.
In contrast, the Japanese domestic market was the only one to suffer a decline, down 1.8%, possibly reflecting low business and consumer confidence in this market, according to IATA.
“With May ticket sales up nearly 6% for peak summer season Travel, the growth trend shows no signs of abating,” said IATA Director General, Willie Walsh.
He explained that, however, despite this general growth in air transport, the head of the airline association warned that this is also putting the state entities that control air traffic to the test.
“With 5.2 million minutes of air traffic control delays accumulated in Europe even before the peak season has started, it is clear that European state air navigation authorities have challenges ahead of them,” he confirmed.
He therefore recalled the importance of the correct performance of these airport managers for millions of travellers and asked them to do their job “with maximum efficiency”, according to Avion Revue.
