The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says recovery in air travel reduced in August compared to July 2021. Government’s actions in response to concerns over the COVID-19 Delta variant reduced domestic travel demand.
IATA will hold its Annual General Meeting and two-day World Air Transport Summit in Boston in the United States from Monday with calls on the South African government to step up its support for the air transport industry to facilitate the recovery of industries that aviation supports.
IATA has also called on government to ensure the effective functioning of the South African International Air Services Licensing Council. The aim is to make it easier to grant operating licences for new routes and increased frequency on existing routes to domestic carriers.
As industry leaders descend on Boston, the IATA says total demand for air travel in August 2021 was down 56% compared to August 2019 – comparing year on year numbers to the year prior to 2020 when the pandemic’s impact was most acute due to shutdowns.
IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh says the August numbers reflect the impact of concerns over the Delta variant on domestic travel even as international travel continued at a snail’s pace toward a full recovery that cannot happen until governments restore freedom to travel.
A statement from the organisation says the entire SA airline industry requires support and financial relief if it is to fulfill its role as an economic enabler and job creator with COVID-19 putting almost 300 000 jobs in the sector at risk.
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