Domestic markets were down 24.3% compared to September 2019, a significant improvement from August 2021, when traffic was down 32.6% versus two years ago. International passenger demand in September was 69.2% below September 2019, fractionally worse than the 68.7% decline recorded in August.

Asia-Pacific airlines saw the September international traffic fall 93.2% compared to September 2019, virtually unchanged from the 93.4% drop registered in August 2021 versus August 2019 as the region continues to have the strictest border control measures. Capacity dropped 85.2% and the load factor was 36.2%, easily the lowest among regions.

‘September’s performance is a positive development but recovery in international traffic remains stalled amid continuing border closures and quarantine mandates,’ says Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general. ‘The recent US policy change to reopen travel from 33 markets for fully vaccinated foreigners from 8 November is a welcome, if long overdue, development. Along with recent re-openings in other key markets like Australia, Argentina, Thailand, and Singapore this should give a boost to the large-scale restoration of the freedom
to travel.’