Almost as much air traffic worldwide in 2023 as before the pandemic
Published: Wednesday, Jan 31st 2024, 15:40
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Global air traffic in 2023 has almost returned to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels. Passenger kilometers increased by 36.9 percent compared to the previous year and reached 94.1 percent of the 2019 level, i.e. before the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported in Geneva on Wednesday.
Domestic traffic has already exceeded the 2019 figure. International traffic increased by 41.6% year-on-year and reached 88.6% of the pre-pandemic level. In total, 58.1% of air traffic was attributable to international connections.
The "passenger kilometers" figure measures the kilometers flown by passengers. 3000 passenger kilometers may have been covered by one person on a long-haul route, but also by several passengers on shorter routes.
"Reconnecting is driving the global economy as people travel for business, education, hard-earned vacations and more," says IATA Secretary General Willie Walsh.
©Keystone/SDA
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