African carriers posted a 34.7% traffic increase in June compared to the same month in 2022 as the post-COVID recovery momentum continues.
This is according to a monthly report of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) report issued today.
The report says international traffic climbed 33.7% in June 2023 versus the same month last year with all markets showing robust growth.
African airlines saw a 34.7% traffic rise in the same period, the second highest percentage gain among the regions, per IATA.
Their June capacity, on the other hand, was up 44.8% and the load factor fell 5.1 percentage points to 68.1%, lowest among the regions.
“Africa was the only region to see a decline in the monthly international load factor compared to the year ago period,” the report noted.
Globally, the IATA says traffic is now at 94.2% of pre-COVID levels.
For the first half of 2023, total traffic – measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) – was up 47.2% compared to the year-ago period.
“The northern summer travel season got off to a strong start in June with double-digit demand growth and average load factors topping 84%,” Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said.
“Planes are full which is good news for airlines, local economies, and travel and tourism dependent jobs. All benefit from the industry’s ongoing recovery,” he added.
