IATA: Global air travel demand continues to recover in 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: The recovery in air travel continued in December 2023, with the total 2023 traffic edging even closer to matching pre-pandemic demand, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA said total traffic in 2023, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), rose 36.9 per cent compared to 2022. “Globally, the full-year 2023 traffic […]

IATA calls on government to address high Covid-19 tests cost

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to take action to address the high cost of Covid-19 tests in many jurisdictions and provided flexibility in permitting the use of cost-effective antigen tests as an alternative to the more expensive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Director-general Willie Walsh said the cost […]

Airbus upbeat on Malaysia, Asean air travel growth post-pandemic

KUALA LUMPUR: Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus is upbeat on Malaysia’s quick recovery post-pandemic and the country is poised to record strong air traffic growth in the Asean region, said its Asia-Pacific President Anand Stanley. “The demand for air travel (from the people) will be higher in this region, and the (regional) airlines will have a strong […]

Asiana converts 2 more passenger jets for cargo transport

SEOUL: Asiana Airlines Inc., South Korea’s second-biggest carrier, said Monday it has converted two additional passenger jets into cargo planes to offset a sharp decline in air travel demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. Asiana has converted two more A350-900 passenger jets into cargo carriers to meet cargo-transporting demands in Asia, Europe and the United States, […]

Solid rebound for air travel demand across key operating markets

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group Bhd is navigating its recovery phase exceptionally well as key operational metrics improved in December 2020 in comparison to September 2020. This is shown by the 31 per cent increase notably, in passengers carried by AirAsia Thailand (TAA), doubling of passengers carried by AirAsia Philippines (PAA), and number of passengers carried […]

Malaysia Airlines passengers can rebook due to second MCO

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd is offering passengers the flexibility to rebook their travels with a one-time fare difference and service fee waiver, following the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) in six states and interstate travel ban imposed by the government. In a statement, it said the rebookings must be made on or […]

IATA reiterates call on flexible policies from governments on air travel

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has renewed the industry’s call on governments to deploy more flexible policies to safely reopen borders using testing rather than to rely on quarantine measures. Director-general and chief executive officer Alexandre de Juniac said scientifically, travellers would not be a significant factor in community transmission if testing […]

Singapore to allow visitors from Brunei, New Zealand

SINGAPORE: Travellers from Brunei and New Zealand to visit Singapore starting in September, in a “small, cautious step” by the virus-hit aviation hub to restart air travel, officials said Friday. The city-state closed its borders in March to tourists and short-term visitors and later implemented a partial lockdown as coronavirus outbreaks swept through dormitories housing […]

11.2 mln jobs at risk in Asia Pacific with airlines shutdown

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 25 million jobs are at risk of disappearing due to plummeting demand for air travel amid the Covid-19 crisis, with the bulk of job losses amounting to 11.2 million are in the Asia Pacific, warned the International Air Transport Association (IATA).  Airlines are calling on governments to provide immediate financial aid to help airlines […]