Global passenger traffic rebounded to 97.3 per cent of its pre-pandemic levels in September, driven by record domestic traffic, the International Air Transport Association said on Friday.
Total passenger traffic worldwide during the month, which is measured in revenue passenger kilometres, surged by more than 30 per cent year-on-year, according to Iata's monthly report.
Domestic traffic hit a new high by surging 28.3 per cent annually to surpass September 2019's mark by 5 per cent, Iata said.
International traffic jumped 31.2 per cent compared to the same period a year ago, with all markets posting double-digit percentage gains year-on-year. International revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) hit 93.1 per cent of September 2019 levels.
September's numbers provide a “solid” end to third quarter of 2023, and set up the air travel industry for a strong finish to the year despite various challenges globally, Iata said.
“There is every reason to believe that this momentum can be maintained in the New Year, despite economic and political uncertainties in parts of the world," director general Willie Walsh said in the report.
Air travel was brought to a halt in 2020 as the pandemic took hold and countries imposed restrictions. But airlines started to gain momentum when economies reopened and travel curbs were lifted.
Regionally, airlines in the Asia-Pacific logged the biggest year-on-year increase in September at 92.6 per cent.
African carriers came in second with a more than 28 per cent traffic increase, while carriers in Latin America recorded a 26.8 per cent jump.
Middle East airlines were close behind with a 26.6 per cent rise in traffic. North America and Europe, meanwhile, rose 18.9 per cent and 15.7 per cent, respectively.
Meanwhile, global air cargo demand – which served as a lifeline for airlines during the pandemic – modestly rose in September by 1.9 per cent, Iata said in a separate report.
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Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
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Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
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Price: Dh155,800
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Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
