TravelAge West
Intel and Insights for Today's Travel Advisor

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Quick Q's

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • Future Leaders in Travel Retreat

Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
MP_Headshot
Mindy PoderExecutive Editor

Share

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Aviation

Air Travel Growth Continues

May 04, 2023
Airlines  Travel News  
Air Travel Growth Continues
There was strong air travel growth in March, according to IATA.
Credit: 2023 Laure F/stock.adobe.com

There was strong growth in air travel this March, according to the latest research from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

The organization found that total flight traffic grew 52.4% compared to March 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 88% of March 2019 levels. North American carriers’ traffic climbed 51.6% in March 2023 versus the 2022 period. Capacity increased 34.0%, and load factor rose to 84.8%.

Our Analysis: The U.S. Air Travel System Is Not Prepared to Handle Growth

With demand for air travel on the rise both domestically and globally in the U.S., it’s time to address the shortcomings of the country’s air travel system. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the system is “woefully underfunded and understaffed,” and will not be able to prevent challenges such as pilot and air traffic controller shortages, congestion and flight cancellations and delays this summer. Fortunately, this year’s Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill is an opportunity for policymakers to put much-needed changes into motion.

Part of this capacity shortfall is attributable to the widely reported labor shortages impacting many parts of the aviation value chain, as well as supply chain issues affecting the aircraft manufacturing sector that are resulting in aircraft delivery delays.

What They Are Saying: Domestic Travel Has Returned Around the World, But Many Travelers Will Be Disappointed This Summer

Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

“The calendar year first quarter ended on a strong note for air travel demand,” said Willie Walsh, director general of IATA. “Domestic markets have been near their pre-pandemic levels for months. And for international travel two key waypoints were topped. First, demand increased by 3.5 percentage points compared to the previous month’s growth, to reach 81.6% of pre-COVID-19 levels. This was led by a near-tripling of demand for Asia-Pacific carriers as China’s reopening took hold. And efficiency is improving as international load factors reached 81.3%. Even more importantly, ticket sales for both domestic and international travel give every indication that strong growth will continue into the peak Northern Hemisphere summer travel season.” 

“As traveler expectations build toward the peak Northern Hemisphere summer travel season, airlines are doing their best to meet the desire and need to fly,” Walsh added. “Unfortunately, a lack of capacity means that some of those travelers may be disappointed. Part of this capacity shortfall is attributable to the widely reported labor shortages impacting many parts of the aviation value chain, as well as supply chain issues affecting the aircraft manufacturing sector that are resulting in aircraft delivery delays. However, a significant share of recent flight cancellations, primarily in Europe, are owing to job actions by air traffic controllers and others. These irresponsible actions resulted in thousands of unnecessary cancellations in March. This is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by the authorities.”  

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

flightdelayssummernews

Brace Yourself for Another Summer of Flight Cancellations and Delays

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. 3 Bangkok Day Trips You Don’t Want to Miss
  2. These Are the Top Summer Travel Trends for 2024
  3. Everything We Know About Universal Epic Universe, Universal's Newest Theme Park
  4. What Is the New Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Here’s How it Will Affect Disney Vacations
  5. Review: Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze

From Our Partners

More Stories Like This

Alaska Airlines Expands Mexico Service to La Paz and Monterrey with New Routes From Los Angeles

Alaska Airlines Expands Mexico Service to La Paz and Monterrey with New Routes From Los Angeles

American Airlines Releases 2023 Sustainability Report

American Airlines Releases 2023 Sustainability Report

LATAM to Increase Flights to Los Angeles and Miami This Year

LATAM to Increase Flights to Los Angeles and Miami This Year

AAdvantage_HERO

ASTA Welcomes American Airlines Rollback of NDC and AAdvantage Changes

Airports May Be More Chaotic This Summer, According to U.S. Travel Association Analysis

Airports May Be More Chaotic This Summer, According to U.S. Travel Association Analysis

More Global Travel Advisor Groups Speak Out Against American Airlines

More Global Travel Advisor Groups Speak Out Against American Airlines

What to Expect From Abercrombie & Kent in 2024 and Beyond

What to Expect From Abercrombie & Kent in 2024 and Beyond

FourSeasonsJet_HERO1

Four Seasons Is Accepting Bookings For Its Private Jet Charters

memorialdayweekend2023travelrecords

Record-Breaking Memorial Day Travel Is a Hopeful Sign for This Summer

flightdelayssummernews

Brace Yourself for Another Summer of Flight Cancellations and Delays

TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here