Middle East sees increase in air travel post-pandemic — IATA

AMMAN — The Middle East is witnessing faster growth rates in air travel, compared with Africa, which is “slowly recovering” from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kamil Al Awadhi, IATA regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, said on Sunday.

In press remarks prior to the 78th IATA Annual General meeting and the World Air Transport Summit, held in Doha, Awadhi said that the rate of passenger revenue per kilometre in Africa is only at 52 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels, while in the Middle East it is at 65 per cent of the 2019 levels.   

The reopening of international markets, especially in China, would speed up recovery and increase passenger revenue per kilometre, he noted.

In terms of ticket bookings, he revealed that the first quarter of 2022 showed some volatility in ticket bookings in the Middle East, ranging between 73 to 80 per cent of 2019 levels. 

Bookings in Africa have been lagging behind, reaching only around 57 per cent of the pre-COVID levels, he said, adding in the Middle East, this year’s re-opening of international routes and long-haul flights, in particular, “will provide a welcomed boost for many”.  

However, he said that in Africa, the cargo business “is doing well”, already operating at 9 per cent above its pre-crisis levels and in the Middle East at 18 per cent. 

He noted that air cargo “has been a lifeline for many” — delivering vaccines, personal protective equipment, medical equipment and even e-commerce.

The region’s carriers specifically Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways have played a critical role in this task by continuing flights throughout the crisis, he said 

Awadhi called on governments to work together closely and with the airline industry to drive “a harmonised agenda for air transport in the region”.