Aviation industry barometer reveals strong market recovery

IBA, an aviation industry consultant, has published its Aviation Industry Barometer for April 2022. The company says that its data intelligence platform indicates that the recovery of global passenger flights grew by 2% in April 2022, with flight capacity at 74% relative to pre-pandemic levels.

IBA’s Aviation Industry Barometer for April 2022 also found that:

• Europe showed strong capacity recovery in April, with flights at 79% of pre-pandemic levels. Latin/North America and Africa continue to lead the global recovery, with capacity for all regions at more than 85% pre-pandemic levels.

• Overall, there were approximately 2.08 million commercial passenger flights in April 2022. International travel made a strong recovery this month, accounting for 33% of total flights, up from 29% in March 2022.

• There were 82 commercial aircraft deliveries in April 2022, representing a month-on-month variance of -20% compared to March 2022, and a year-on-year increase of 19% compared to April 2021.

• Deliveries in the narrowbody category were led by the A320neo family, while widebody deliveries were dominated by the A350 family.

• However, Asia Pacific flight capacity continues to show a year-on-year capacity decline. Tight restrictions and lockdowns across major cities in China have hampered travel, with this trend likely to continue in the near-term.