Recovery on track: Middle East air passenger traffic near pre-pandemic levels

Air passenger traffic in the Middle East and South Asia has recovered in the second quarter (Q2) of the year to approximately 85% of Q2 2019 seat capacity, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific’s Industry Outlook.

Meanwhile, passenger level in Emerging East Asia (China, Mongolia and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) is at just 15% of 2019 Q2 seat capacity as China adopted a ‘Zero-Covid’ approach and renewed lockdowns, said the second edition of the Industry Outlook developed in partnership with Mott MacDonald.

The outlook provides a snapshot of airport business performance across the region with a short-term analysis of the key industry trends.

ACI Asia Pacific Director General Stefano Baronci, said: “As a result of a successful vaccination campaign that covers an average of 74% of the population across the region, travel restrictions are being gradually phased out across the region, fuelling strong demand for air travel. Though 2022 looks to be a more positive year for the sector, there will be bumps in our road to recovery especially in consideration of the uncertain macroeconomic scenario.”

“As part of our efforts to further enhance airports’ role of engines of economic and social progress in a safe and sustainable manner, ACI Asia-Pacific, at the recent ICAO 57th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation for Asia and Pacific Regions in Incheon, Republic of Korea, urged the regulators to work closely with the industry to enhance manpower and operations to ensure a smooth traveller experience and harmonise as much as possible health protocols. ACI Asia-Pacific will continue to work with our members to help the industry build back stronger,” he added.