By Tuba Ongun
World air traffic this September almost caught up to its pre-coronavirus levels, according to data released on Thursday.
The figure reached 97.3% of its September 2019 level, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) data showed.
Total air traffic – measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs – jumped 30.1% year-on-year in September.
Domestic traffic hit a new peak for September, with demand surging 28.3% from a year ago and surpassing its pre-virus levels by 5%.
"The third quarter of 2023 ended on a high note, with record domestic passenger demand for the month of September and continued strong international traffic," said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.
International traffic soared 31.2% from the prior year, with RPKs reaching 93.1% of September 2019 levels.
All markets recorded double-digit percentage gains on an annual basis, the air transport body stressed.
Separate IATA data on Wednesday showed that global demand for air cargo, measured in cargo ton-kilometers, edged up by 1.9% compared to September 2022.
Capacity – measured in available cargo ton-kilometers – was up 12.1% compared to last year.