IATA shows optimism about travel when borders reopen
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Tourism Economics released a long-term view for post-Covid-19 passenger demand recovery which demonstrates that people remain eager to travel in the short and long-term
To ensure that aviation can sustainably deliver its social and economic benefits as it meets this long-term demand, it is critical that governments step up their support for more efficient operations and foster an effective energy transition.
Forecast highlights include:
- In 2021 global passenger numbers are expected to recover to 52 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels (2019).
- In 2022 global passenger numbers are expected to recover to 88 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels.
- In 2023 global passenger numbers are expected to surpass pre-Covid-19 levels (105 per cent).
- By 2030 global passenger numbers are expected to have grown to 5.6 billion. That would be 7 per cent below the pre-Covid-19 forecast and an estimated loss of two to three years of growth due to Covid-19.
Beyond 2030, air travel is expected to slow, due to weaker demographics and a baseline assumption of limited market liberalisation, giving average annual growth between 2019 and 2039 of 3.2 per cent. IATA’s pre-Covid-19 growth forecast for this period was 3.8 per cent.
Revoery in passenger numbers stronger than passenger kilometres
The recovery in passenger numbers is slightly stronger than the recovery in demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres, which is expected to grow by an annual average of three per cent between 2019 and 2039. This is owing to the expected strength of domestic markets like China with large passenger numbers and shorter distances.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, commented: “I am always optimistic about aviation. We are in the deepest and gravest crisis in our history. But the rapidly growing vaccinated population and advancements in testing will return the freedom to fly in the months ahead. And when that happens, people are going to want to travel.
“The immediate challenge is to reopen borders, eliminate quarantine measures and digitally manage vaccination/testing certificates. At the same time, we must assure the world that aviation’s long-term growth prospects are supported with an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Both challenges require governments and industry to work in partnership. Aviation is ready. But I don’t see governments moving fast enough.”