The opening up of the continents skyline has boosted travel within the region as airlines posted increased passenger numbers.
Latest data by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that African airlines recorded a 25.6 per cent passenger traffic increase in the month of July, compared to the same period last year.
This is the second month in a row, that passenger capacity outpaced demand in July as capacity rose by 27.4per cent.
IATA director general Willie Walsh said that international passenger traffic also saw a 29.6 per cent increase compared to the same month a year ago, with all markets showing robust growth.
“Planes were full during July as people continue to travel in ever greater numbers. Importantly, forward ticket sales indicate that traveler confidence remains high. And there is every reason to be optimistic about the continuing recovery,” said Willie Walsh.
The strong performance of the aviation industry is a boon for Kenya whose tourism industry heavily relies on international markets.
International visitor arrivals to Kenya grew 68.9 per cent in the half-year to June, as the sector continued to record a strong post-Covid pandemic performance.
Total arrivals in the six months closed at 847,810 from 501, 942 visitors recorded during the same period last year.
The performance is a 92 per cent recovery when compared to 2019 performance of 929,814 arrivals same period, signaling a major rebound this year as the country hopes to hit pre-Covid levels.
According to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), holiday remained the main purpose of entry closing at 338,509 (39.9%).
Business, meeting and conferences came in second with a total of 226,908 arrivals, a growth of 26.8 per cent while visiting family and friends was the third main purpose with 213,417 arrivals (25.2%).
IATA data further shows that Asia-Pacific carriers continued to record fastest growth with passenger traffic growing by 105.8 per cent compared to same period last year.
This saw the capacity of the airlines increase to 96.2 per cent.
European airlines registered the lowest passenger traffic growth at 13.8 per cent during the period under review, even as capacity went up 13.6 per cent.
“The Northern Hemisphere summer is living up to expectations for very strong traffic demand. While the industry was largely prepared to accommodate a return to pre-pandemic levels of operations, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our infrastructure providers,” added Walsh.
On the other hand, Middle Eastern flag carriers posted a 22.6 per cent increase in traffic compared to a year ago as capacity rose 22.1 per cent, while North American carriers had a 17.7 per cent traffic rise and a 17.2 per cent capacity increase.
IATA data also shows Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 25.3 per cent compared to the same month in 2022 as capacity climbed 21.2per cent.