Air travel demand fall reached its nadir in April: Iata

Air passenger demand is showing signs of recovery after hitting a bottom in April, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata) said.

After a month that was a "disaster for aviation", the number of daily flights rose by 30pc between the end of April and 27 May.

Global air travel demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), fell by 94.3pc year on year in April and capacity — measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs) — fell by 87pc. Industry-wide international RPKs slumped by 98.4pc, and domestic RPKs by 86.9pc. Carriers in Europe recorded the strongest decline in international RPKs in April of 99pc, followed by African airlines with a fall of 98.7pc.

Air cargo demand, as measured in industry-wide cargo tonne kilometres (CTK), contracted by 27.7pc.

"There is a severe capacity crunch in air cargo. The result is damaging global supply chains with longer shipping times and higher costs", said Iata chief executive Alexandre de Juniac.

Cargo demand fell in all regions in April with Latin America the most affected, Iata said. Latin American carriers reported a fall of 38.9pc year on year, as a result of strict containment measures, insufficient freighters availability and a lack of government support. Carriers in the Middle East contributed to the 42pc overall decline in international CTKS, recording a fall of 36.2pc on the year.

Demand for international cargo in North America fell by only 20.1pc in April on the year, the most moderate fall for any region. The region's large, easily available freighter fleets of integrator carriers probably helped to meet demand, as did less stringent lockdowns in some areas, Iata said.

By Florence Schmit