Abu Dhabi – During the peak Northern summer travel holiday season, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported high levels of confidence among travelers. According to forward booking data for May – September 2023, this is 35% higher than 2022 levels.
Among the 4,700 travelers surveyed in 11 countries, the following results were found:
- According to the survey, 79% of travelers plan to travel between June and August 2023
- According to 85% of respondents, peak travel season disruptions should not surprise them, but 80% expect smooth travel with post-pandemic issues resolved
According to forward bookings, the greatest growth is expected in:
- The Asia-Pacific region (134.7%)
- 42.9 percent came from the Middle East
- The European Union (39.9%)
- There are 36.4% of Africans
- There are 21.4% of Latin Americans
- The North American region (14.1%)
The Northern summer travel season is expected to be busy this year. Many will be traveling for the first time since the pandemic. In 2022, there is a clear expectation that the ramp-up issues experienced at some key hub airports in 2022 will have been resolved. Airports, border control, ground handlers, and air navigation service providers are planning schedules based on the capacity declared by airports, border control, and ground handlers. All industry players must now deliver over the next few months,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security.
Preparing
To minimize disruptions to passengers, collaboration, adequate staffing, and accurate information sharing are all essential. It is crucial that the declared and scheduled capacities are available.
It has taken a lot of work to prepare for the peak Northern summer travel season. Supply chain success depends on readiness across all players. It is unlikely that last minute requirements to reduce the scale of the schedules travelers have booked will arise if each player delivers on what has been declared,” Careen explained.
Unrest among workers, particularly in France, is a cause for concern. As a result of French strikes earlier this year, Eurocontrol data shows that cancellations can spike by over a third.
We need to keep a close eye on Europe, where strike actions have caused significant disruptions this year. It is important for governments to have effective contingency plans in place to ensure that those providing essential services such as air traffic control maintain minimum service levels and that they do not disrupt travelers’ hard-earned vacations or threaten the livelihoods of those working in the tourism industry,” Careen said.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Communications for corporations
Contact: +41 22 770 2967
Send an email to corpcomms@iata.org
