Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that passenger traffic fell in March 2021 compared to pre-COVID levels (March 2019) but rose compared to the immediate month prior (February 2021). Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are to March 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern. Total demand for air travel in March 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 67.2% compared to March 2019. That was an improvement over the 74.9% decline recorded in February 2021 versus February 2019. The better performance was driven by gains in domestic markets, particularly China. International traffic remained largely restricted. International passenger demand [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released March 2021 data for global air cargo markets showing that air cargo demand continued to outperform pre-COVID levels (March 2019) with demand up 4.4%. March demand reached the highest level recorded since the series began in 1990. Month-on-month demand also increased albeit at a slower pace than the previous month with volumes up 0.4% in March over February 2021 levels. Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons to follow are to March 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), was up 4.4% compared to March 2019 and 0.4% compared to [...]

Source: ACI Airports Council International (ACI) World has today signed a cooperation agreement with World Business Partner, Gallagher Aerospace to help foster enhancements in the fundamental industry priority of airport operational safety. Gallagher Aerospace is the leading insurance broker in the airline and airport sectors.   In pursuit of promoting safer airport operations as members prepare for the recovery, ACI World and Gallagher - a renowned insurance brokerage, risk management services and human capital firm - will work together to help member airports access the Airport Excellence (APEX) Programme, APEX in Safety.   ACI World’s APEX Programme has been running since 2012 and supports airports of all sizes to enhance levels of safety management through peer reviews with the aim [...]

Source: ACI Airports Council International (ACI) World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira today spoke at the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit about how the industry can work together to safeguard and rebuild the millions of aviation jobs threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.   Participating in the panel Recovering 100 Million Jobs in Cancun, Mexico, Luis Felipe de Oliveira said air transport remains a vital part of the economy which, in pre-COVID-19 times, supports 88 million jobs and contributes $3.5 trillion to global Gross Domestic Product.   The panel was moderated by Aradhana Khowala, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Aptamind Partners, and Luis Felipe de Oliveira was joined by:   Craig Smith, Group President, International, Marriott International Luís [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is expanding the benefits available to the travel agent community through the ID Card and the AgentExperience platform. Eligible travel professionals (in possession of an IATA or IATAN ID card) can already access benefits such as special offers for flights, hotels, car rentals, sightseeing, ground transportation, familiarization trips and IATA training courses. An additional 180,000 worldwide hotel properties with attractive rates have been added to the portfolio for travel professionals, through a new partnership with hotelbeds.com. Additionally, travel professionals based in the US can also purchase select gift cards and receive up to 10% discount, or up to 50% discount on merchandise items. Bloomingdales, Foot Locker, TJ Maxx, Barnes & Noble, Sony, [...]

Source: CAAS 1. Singapore and Hong Kong have agreed to set 26 May 2021 as the launch date of the Singapore – Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble (ATB). Both parties will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation from now till 26 May 2021, and will proceed with the launch if the situation continues to be steady and remain under control in both cities. 2. The ATB will be launched under more stringent arrangements to better safeguard public health and provide greater stability. Travellers on the ATB must have remained in either Singapore or Hong Kong in the last 14 days prior to departure, and the 14 days period must exclude any time spent in quarantine or Stay-Home Notice (SHN) arising [...]

Source: ICAO To mark Earth Day 2021, ICAO has released two publications as part of its Eco-Airport Toolkit e-collection focusing on climate resilient airports and water management at airports. Each publication provides States with practical information for decision makers engaged in green airport planning and design.   “The pace of innovation in all aspects of aviation is unparalleled, and ICAO has been helping drive the green recovery of aviation by promoting an ambitious decarbonization path for the sector including the promotion of pioneering efforts to support the development of airport infrastructure projects” highlighted ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano.   ICAO continues to engage with all stakeholders to facilitate the acceleration of greener technologies and initiatives, including the development of electric [...]

Source: ACI Airports Council International (ACI) World has today published its preliminary world airport traffic rankings - covering passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and aircraft movements for 2020 - showing the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on what are ordinarily the world’s busiest airports.   Global passenger traffic at the world’s top 10 busiest airports decreased by -45.7% in 2020. Overall, passenger traffic at the world’s airports decreased by -64.6% which shows that the impact of the pandemic and the early stages of recovery in air travel has not been uniform around the world.   According to the preliminary data published today, Guangzhou Bai Yun International Airport in China recorded the most passenger traffic in 2020, with Atlanta Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport [...]