Mideast air traffic to fly back to 45% of pre-Covid levels in 2021

Mideast air traffic to fly back to 45% of pre-Covid levels in 2021

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said on Wednesday that air travel demand in the Middle East is expected to strengthen to 45 per cent of 2019 levels to reach 90 million travellers to/from/within the region in 2021, but a full return to 2019 level is not expected until late 2024.

Downgrading its traffic forecast for the Middle East for 2020 to reflect a weaker-than-expected recovery, Iata said full-year 2020 passenger numbers in the Middle East are forecast to reach only 30 per cent of 2019 levels, down significantly from the 45 per cent that was projected in July.

In absolute numbers, the Middle East is expected to see 60 million travellers in 2020 compared to the 203 million in