Latest air traffic forecasts illustrate encouraging recovery and higher growth in global air travel

Created on 25.05.2022 15:09

​ICAO’s latest analysis of global air traffic reveals clear signs of a strong global recovery in air traffic, characterized by increasing airline confidence and a range of regional air connectivity and air travel facilitation improvements.

The number of air passengers carried from January to April 2022 increased by 65% compared to the same period in 2021, while aircraft flight departures increased by 30%. Airline seat capacity grew by 32% during the same period, and with continuing supportive conditions for increases in air travel demand expected, ICAO is projecting a stronger overall rate of recovery this year compared to last.

In terms of regional highlights, North America and Latin America/Caribbean domestic seat capacity has now recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and the same has been true in other large domestic markets such as India, Australia, Brazil and Mexico. Intra-Europe seat capacity, meanwhile, is also on a very positive trajectory.

The pace of recovery in the Asia and Pacific and Africa regions continues to be more challenging, with a recovery of full seat capacity expected in Asia and Pacific by 2023-24, and in Africa by 2024-25.

ICAO’s ongoing efforts to work with governments and industry to reconnect the world is expected to get another boost this September, when the 41st ICAO Assembly will be held with in-person attendance of the civil aviation delegates from the UN agency’s 193 Member States.

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