Middle Eastern airlines post 149.7% traffic rise in September 2022

Geneva: Middle Eastern airlines posted a 149.7 per cent traffic rise in September 2022 compared to September 2021, a new report reveals.

“September capacity increased 63.5 per cent versus the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 27.6 percentage points to 80.0 per cent,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said while announcing passenger data for September 2022 showing that the recovery in air travel continues to be strong.

Total traffic in September 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 57.0 per cent compared to September 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 73.8 per cent of September 2019 levels.

Domestic traffic for September 2022 was up 6.9 per cent compared to the year-ago period. Total September 2022 domestic traffic was at 81 per cent of the September 2019 level.

International traffic climbed 122.2 per cent versus September 2021. September 2022 international RPKs reached 69.9 per cent of September 2019 levels. All markets reported strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific.

“Even with economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the demand for air transport continues to recover ground. The outlier is still China with its pursuit of a zero COVID strategy keeping borders largely closed and creating a demand roller coaster ride for its domestic market, with September being down 46.4 per cent on the previous year,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“That is in sharp contrast to the rest of Asia-Pacific, which, despite China’s dismal performance, posted a 464.8 per cent increase for international traffic compared to the year-ago period,” he added.

International passenger markets
Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 464.8 per cent rise in September traffic compared to September 2021, the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions. Capacity rose 165.3 per cent and the load factor was up 41.5 percentage points to 78.3 per cent.
European carriers’ September traffic climbed 78.3 per cent versus September 2021. Capacity increased by 43.8 per cent, and the load factor moved up 16.3 percentage points to 84.1 per cent, the second highest among the regions.

North American carriers had a 128.9 per cent traffic rise in September versus the 2021 period. Capacity increased 63.0 per cent, and load factor climbed 24.6 percentage points to 85.4 per cent, which was the highest among the regions for a fourth consecutive month.

Latin American airlines’ September traffic rose 99.4 per cent compared to the same month in 2021. September capacity climbed 73.7 per cent and the load factor increased 10.8 percentage points to 83.5 per cent.

African airlines saw a 90.5 per cent rise in September RPKs versus a year ago. September 2022 capacity was up 47.2 per cent and the load factor climbed 16.7 percentage points to 73.6 per cent, the lowest among regions.