Reduction extends: Global air traffic retreats 2.2% in May

“ O global passenger traffic dropped 2.2% in homologous terms in May, prolonging the contraction observed in April and after the disruptions associated with the conflict in Iran and the rise in fuel prices,” said IATA in the market analysis of May, today released.

The conflict in the Middle East led to the limitation of many flights in the region, which saw a decrease in transport by 28.4% of its airlines.

Still, the annual fall was less abrupt than in April when it had retreated 46.6%. Globally, the markets in Asia Pacific (-1.4%) and North America (-0.8%) have also suffered annual breaks, attributable to “the internal conditions of the USA and China”.

Conversely, Africa (6.6%), Latin America and the Caribbean (6.1%) and Europe (2.7%) had an increase in air traffic each year.

Without the Middle East, global air traffic fell by 0.7%.

“In general, demand in May seems to have been very resilient in view of the high cost of airport prices and charges. Although the recent and strong drop in the price of oil is an encouraging development, the challenges created by the war should continue for some time,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh, quoted in a statement.

For the person responsible, there is still uncertainty about the oil flow through the Ormuz Strait and consequent effect on fuel prices, so some airlines will have no alternative to continue testing demand” through increases to compensate fuel costs.

According to IATA, domestic traffic declined 3.1% compared to the same month last year, with China (-6.2% and responsible for 11.3% of world traffic) having the highest fall, “which may be linked to higher rates and/or the Dragon Boat Festival, which this year took place in June”.

The US also declined 1.9% internally, while the remaining main markets had moderate growth.

On the other hand, international traffic fell by 1.6% from May last year, recovering from the annual break of 5.4% of April, after a relief of tensions in the Middle East.