Middle East airlines are returning to their 2019 sweet spots faster than anyone

Middle East airlines are returning to their 2019 sweet spots faster than anyone

The year 2022 did not start well for the travel industry. With the aviation industry only recovering from the pandemic’s aftereffects and restrictions being lifted, the geopolitical uncertainty had a far-reaching socioeconomic effect throughout the world. Still, the aviation industry demonstrated steady growth and resiliency, showing the first clear indications of recovery. In fact, 2023 is poised for strong performance and will see a 20 per cent increase in global tourism earnings. Air travel has returned to normal levels, with the UAE-UK air traffic, in particular, experiencing a solid recovery. According to dnata Travel, London Heathrow (LHR) is the second most booked route in terms of flight traffic, with a 90 per cent increase in bookings compared to 2021. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that global passenger volume in November last surpassed 75 per cent of its November 2019 level. November traffic for Middle Eastern airlines increased by 84.6 per cent, while traffic for African carriers was up 83.5 per cent. According to the latest World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) barometer, approximately 700 million tourists travelled globally between January and September, and international tourism is estimated to have reached 65 per cent of pre-pandemic levels by end 2022. The