Air passenger demand globally falls further: IATA

MUMBAI: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Wednesday has said air passenger traffic fell in January, both compared to pre-Covid levels (January 2019) and compared to the immediate month prior (December 2020).

Total demand in January 2021 measured in revenue passenger kilometres was down by 72% compared to January 2019. That was worse than the 69.7% year-over-year decline recorded in December 2020. Total domestic demand was down 47.4% versus pr e-crisis( January 2019) levels. In December it was down by 42.9% on the previous year.

IATA said this weakening is largely driven by stricter domestic travel controls in China over the Lunar New Year holiday period.