Middle Eastern airlines see 114.7% traffic rise in October

Middle Eastern airlines see 114.7% traffic rise in October

Muscat: Middle Eastern airlines saw a 114.7 per cent traffic rise in October compared to October 2021, according to a new report.

“Capacity increased 55.7 per cent against the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 21.8 percentage points to 79.5 per cent, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in its monthly report.

The report added that the recovery in air travel continued in October. Total traffic in October 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 44.6 per cent compared to October 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 74.2 per cent of October 2019 levels.

Domestic traffic for October 2022 slipped 0.8 per cent compared to the year-ago period as stringent COVID-related travel restrictions in China dampened global figures. Total October 2022 domestic traffic was at 77.9 per cent of the October 2019 level. Domestic forward bookings remain at around 70 per cent of the pre-pandemic level.

International traffic climbed 102.4 per cent versus October 2021. October 2022 international RPKs reached 72.1 per cent of October 2019 levels with all markets recording strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific. Forward bookings for international travel increased to around 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, following the re-openings announced by multiple Asian economies.

“Traditionally, by October we