IATA REPORTS MODERATE REBOUND IN AIR TRAVEL DEMAND

IATA has reported a ‘moderate rebound’ in air travel in September 2021 compared to August.

Total demand for air travel in September 2021 was down 53.4% compared to September 2019.

This was better than August, when demand was 56% below August 2019 levels.

Meanwhile, the latest IATA figures show domestic markets were down only 24.3% compared to September 2019, a significant improvement from August when traffic was down 32.6% compared with two years ago.

All markets showed improvement with the exception of Japan and Russia, although the latter remained in solid growth territory compared to 2019.

International passenger demand in September was 69.2% below September 2019, fractionally worse than the 68.7% decline recorded in August.

“September’s performance is a positive development but recovery in international traffic remains stalled amid border closures and quarantine mandates,” said Willie Walsh, IATA director general.

But he said the long-overdue reopening of transatlantic travel and recent reopenings in other key markets will be a "boost to the large-scale restoration of the freedom to travel".