The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published statistics demonstrating that when limitations are relaxed, there is increasing momentum in the resurgence of air travel demand.
In recent weeks, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recorded a significant 11 percentage point rise in the number of international tickets sold (in proportion to 2019 sales).
In the period under consideration, from around February 8, 2022 (seven-day moving average), the number of tickets sold was 49 percent of the same time in 2019, and in the period about January 25, 2022 (seven-day moving average), the number of tickets sold was 38 percent of the same period in 2019.
Specifically, it pointed out that the 11-percentage point gain between the January and February periods was the quickest such recovery for any two-week period since the crisis started.
According to the International Air Transport Association, the increase in ticket sales occurred as more nations declared a relaxation of COVID-19 border restrictions.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that these figures represent a wave of relaxations declared throughout the globe, including in Australia, France, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Sweden, among others.
“There is a significant amount of momentum in the direction of normalizing traffic. Travelers who have received vaccinations have the possibility to go far further and with fewer problems than they did simply a few weeks ago. As a result, an increasing number of tourists are gaining the confidence to purchase tickets.
And that’s a piece of wonderful news! Now is the time to move even more quickly toward the repeal of travel restrictions. While recent development has been significant, the globe is still a long way from reaching the levels of connection seen in 2019. Thirteen of the top 50 travel markets do not yet give simple access to all vaccinated tourists, despite recent improvements. “This includes big economies such as China, Japan, Russia, Indonesia, and Italy,” stated Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association.
“To further boost air travel, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for the removal of all travel barriers (including quarantine and testing) for those who have been fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine; the enabling of quarantine-free travel for non-vaccinated travelers who have received a negative pre-departure antigen test result; the removal of travel bans, and the acceleration of the easing of travel restrictions in recognition that travelers pose no greater risk for COVID-19 spread
“Travel restrictions have had a significant negative effect on both people and economies worldwide. They have not, on the other hand, prevented the virus from spreading. As we learn to live and travel in a world where COVID-19 dangers will continue to exist for the foreseeable future, it is imperative that they be removed from the equation.
This implies putting an end to the practice of singling out members of the traveling public for special treatment. In virtually all instances, travelers do not introduce any more risk to a market that does not already there. Many countries have already acknowledged this and have lifted limitations as a result. “There are many more who need to follow,” Walsh remarked.
