July marks inflection point in flight traffic recovery

Global air traffic rose in July as total and commercial flights both climbed, but trends in the second half of the month show a slowing recovery. Total traffic was 32% below 2019 levels in July, while commercial traffic was down 50% from the previous year.

Total flights down 32% in July, compared to 2019

Total flights were down 32% in July, compared to a year prior. In June total flights tracked were down 42% from their 2019 levels.

July commercial flights 50% below 2019 levels

Commercial traffic in July was 50% below 2019 levels. In June, commercial traffic was 62% below 2019. July also marked the first month commercial flights climbed faster than total flights, ending the month 38.7% higher than June. However, the second half of the month showed a flattening of the growth in flights, a trend we’ll continue to watch with great interest in August.