International Air Transport Association (IATA) data shows growing momentum in recovery of air travel as restrictions are lifted. IATA reports sharp jump of 11 pc in international tickets sold in recent weeks, in proportion to 2019 sales. In the period around February 8, the number of tickets sold stood at 49 pc of the same period in 2019. The same figure in the period around January 25 was 38 pc. IATA says this is the fastest such increase for any two-week period since the crisis began. The jump in ticket sales comes as more governments announce a relaxation of COVID-19 border restrictions. An IATA survey of travel restrictions for the world’s top 50 air travel markets, accounting for 92 pc of global demand in 2019 as measured by revenue passenger kilometers revealed the growing access available to vaccinated travellers.

It says that 18 markets, comprising about 20 pc of 2019 demand, are open to vaccinated travellers without quarantine or pre-departure testing requirements, while 28 markets are open to vaccinated travelers without quarantine requirements, making for 50 pc of 2019 demand and 37 markets, about 60 pc of 2019 demand, are open to vaccinated travelers under varying conditions. These numbers reflect a spate of relaxations announced around the world, including in Australia, France, the Philippines, the UK, Switzerland, and Sweden among them. “Momentum toward normalizing traffic is growing. Vaccinated travelers have the potential to travel much more extensively with fewer hassles than even a few weeks ago. This is giving growing numbers of travelers the confidence to buy tickets. And that is good news! Now we need to further accelerate the removal of travel restrictions. While recent progress is impressive, the world remains far from 2019 levels of connectivity. Thirteen of the top 50 travel markets still do not provide easy access to all vaccinated travelers. That includes major economies like China, Japan, Russia, Indonesia, and Italy,” says Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.