The Hilarious Highs and Lows of Air Travel in September 2023
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers rose by a whopping 28.3 percent year over year. That’s right, folks – we’re talking about a 5 percent increase over those pre-pandemic levels from way back in September 2019. Domestic capacity also increased by 28.2 percent because apparently, there just aren’t enough crying babies and armrest hogs on planes these days.
But wait, there’s more! International traffic decided to join the party with an increase of 31.2 percent from last year and reached a mind-boggling 93.1 percent of pre-pandemic levels. I don’t know about you, but it sounds like everyone suddenly remembered they had some serious FOMO when it came to traveling abroad.
I can almost hear Willie Walsh, director general of IATA saying: “The third quarter of 2023 ended on a high note,” as he probably chuckled at his own pun while sipping champagne somewhere luxurious.
Despite all this good news though, our friends at IATA want us to remember that “slowing domestic demand and ticket sales” could serve as potential headwinds in the industry’s recovery. In other words – don’t count your chickens before they hatch or your flights before they take off!
In terms of specific countries making waves in the aviation world (pun intended), China led domestic markets with triple-digit increases in both traffic and capacity; however, let’s not forget that these numbers were measured against low base figures from September 2022 when travel restrictions made life difficult for Chinese provinces trying to spread their wings.
Japan tried its best but still managed only a measly year-over-year demand increase of just under twenty-percent – which is basically nothing compared to what everyone else was doing!
And then there’s my home country – The United States showed some post-pandemic growth with an impressive-sounding number like six-point-one percent…but hey guys…we’re really trying here!
“With the end of the most ridiculous year ever fast approaching,” said Walsh between fits laughter “We can look back on strong recovery despite economic uncertainties.” Yeah sure Willie! Let me guess – next thing you’ll tell us is pigs will fly!”
: IATA: August Air Demand Near Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Hilarious Highs and Lows of Air Travel in September 2023
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers rose by a whopping 28.3 percent year over year. That’s right, folks – we’re talking about a 5 percent increase over those pre-pandemic levels from way back in September 2019. Domestic capacity also increased by 28.2 percent because apparently, there just aren’t enough crying babies and armrest hogs on planes these days.
But wait, there’s more! International traffic decided to join the party with an increase of 31.2 percent from last year and reached a mind-boggling 93.1 percent of pre-pandemic levels. I don’t know about you, but it sounds like everyone suddenly remembered they had some serious FOMO when it came to traveling abroad.
I can almost hear Willie Walsh, director general of IATA saying: “The third quarter of 2023 ended on a high note,” as he probably chuckled at his own pun while sipping champagne somewhere luxurious.
Despite all this good news though, our friends at IATA want us to remember that “slowing domestic demand and ticket sales” could serve as potential headwinds in the industry’s recovery. In other words – don’t count your chickens before they hatch or your flights before they take off!
In terms of specific countries making waves in the aviation world (pun intended), China led domestic markets with triple-digit increases in both traffic and capacity; however, let’s not forget that these numbers were measured against low base figures from September 2022 when travel restrictions made life difficult for Chinese provinces trying to spread their wings.
Japan tried its best but still managed only a measly year-over-year demand increase of just under twenty-percent – which is basically nothing compared to what everyone else was doing!
And then there’s my home country – The United States showed some post-pandemic growth with an impressive-sounding number like six-point-one percent…but hey guys…we’re really trying here!
“With the end of the most ridiculous year ever fast approaching,” said Walsh between fits laughter “We can look back on strong recovery despite economic uncertainties.” Yeah sure Willie! Let me guess – next thing you’ll tell us is pigs will fly!”
: IATA: August Air Demand Near Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Hilarious Highs and Lows of Air Travel in September 2023
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers rose by a whopping 28.3 percent year over year. That’s right, folks – we’re talking about a 5 percent increase over those pre-pandemic levels from way back in September 2019. Domestic capacity also increased by 28.2 percent because apparently, there just aren’t enough crying babies and armrest hogs on planes these days.
But wait, there’s more! International traffic decided to join the party with an increase of 31.2 percent from last year and reached a mind-boggling 93.1 percent of pre-pandemic levels. I don’t know about you, but it sounds like everyone suddenly remembered they had some serious FOMO when it came to traveling abroad.
I can almost hear Willie Walsh, director general of IATA saying: “The third quarter of 2023 ended on a high note,” as he probably chuckled at his own pun while sipping champagne somewhere luxurious.
Despite all this good news though, our friends at IATA want us to remember that “slowing domestic demand and ticket sales” could serve as potential headwinds in the industry’s recovery. In other words – don’t count your chickens before they hatch or your flights before they take off!
In terms of specific countries making waves in the aviation world (pun intended), China led domestic markets with triple-digit increases in both traffic and capacity; however, let’s not forget that these numbers were measured against low base figures from September 2022 when travel restrictions made life difficult for Chinese provinces trying to spread their wings.
Japan tried its best but still managed only a measly year-over-year demand increase of just under twenty-percent – which is basically nothing compared to what everyone else was doing!
And then there’s my home country – The United States showed some post-pandemic growth with an impressive-sounding number like six-point-one percent…but hey guys…we’re really trying here!
“With the end of the most ridiculous year ever fast approaching,” said Walsh between fits laughter “We can look back on strong recovery despite economic uncertainties.” Yeah sure Willie! Let me guess – next thing you’ll tell us is pigs will fly!”
: IATA: August Air Demand Near Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Hilarious Highs and Lows of Air Travel in September 2023
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers rose by a whopping 28.3 percent year over year. That’s right, folks – we’re talking about a 5 percent increase over those pre-pandemic levels from way back in September 2019. Domestic capacity also increased by 28.2 percent because apparently, there just aren’t enough crying babies and armrest hogs on planes these days.
But wait, there’s more! International traffic decided to join the party with an increase of 31.2 percent from last year and reached a mind-boggling 93.1 percent of pre-pandemic levels. I don’t know about you, but it sounds like everyone suddenly remembered they had some serious FOMO when it came to traveling abroad.
I can almost hear Willie Walsh, director general of IATA saying: “The third quarter of 2023 ended on a high note,” as he probably chuckled at his own pun while sipping champagne somewhere luxurious.
Despite all this good news though, our friends at IATA want us to remember that “slowing domestic demand and ticket sales” could serve as potential headwinds in the industry’s recovery. In other words – don’t count your chickens before they hatch or your flights before they take off!
In terms of specific countries making waves in the aviation world (pun intended), China led domestic markets with triple-digit increases in both traffic and capacity; however, let’s not forget that these numbers were measured against low base figures from September 2022 when travel restrictions made life difficult for Chinese provinces trying to spread their wings.
Japan tried its best but still managed only a measly year-over-year demand increase of just under twenty-percent – which is basically nothing compared to what everyone else was doing!
And then there’s my home country – The United States showed some post-pandemic growth with an impressive-sounding number like six-point-one percent…but hey guys…we’re really trying here!
“With the end of the most ridiculous year ever fast approaching,” said Walsh between fits laughter “We can look back on strong recovery despite economic uncertainties.” Yeah sure Willie! Let me guess – next thing you’ll tell us is pigs will fly!”
: IATA: August Air Demand Near Pre-Pandemic Levels
