Total traffic in February 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) was up 115.9% compared to February 2021. That is an improvement from January 2022, which was up 83.1% compared to January 2021. Compared to February 2019, however, traffic was down 45.5%.  

February 2022 domestic traffic was up 60.7% compared to the year-ago period, building on a 42.6% increase in January 2022 compared to January 2021. There was wide variation in markets tracked by IATA. Domestic traffic in February was 21.8% below the volumes of February 2019.

International RPKs rose 256.8% versus February 2021, improving from a 165.5% year-over-year increase in January 2022 versus the year-earlier period. All regions improved their performance compared to the prior month. In February 2022 international RPKs were down 59.6% compared to the same month in 2019.

“The recovery in air travel is gathering steam as governments in many parts of the world lift travel restrictions. States that persist in attempting to lock out the disease, rather than managing it, as we do with other diseases, risk missing out on the enormous economic and societal benefits that restoration of international connectivity will bring,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General. 

International Passenger Markets

European carriers saw their February traffic rise 380.6% versus February 2021, improved over the 224.3% increase in January 2022 versus the same month in 2021. Capacity rose 174.8%, and load factor climbed 30.3 percentage points to 70.9%. 

Asia-Pacific airlines had a 144.4% rise in February traffic compared to February 2021, up somewhat over the 125.8% gain registered in January 2022 versus January 2021. Capacity rose 60.8% and the load factor was up 16.1 percentage points to 47.0%, the lowest among regions. 

Middle Eastern airlines’ traffic rose 215.3% in February compared to February 2021, well up compared to the 145.0% increase in January 2022, versus the same month in 2021. February capacity rose 89.5% versus the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 25.8 percentage points to 64.7%. 

North American carriers experienced a 236.7% traffic rise in February versus the 2021 period, significantly increased compared to the 149.0% rise in January 2022 over January 2021. Capacity rose 91.7%, and load factor climbed 27.4 percentage points to 63.6%. 

Latin American airlines’ February traffic rose 242.7% compared to the same month in 2021, well up over the 155.2% rise in January 2022 compared to January 2021. February capacity rose 146.3% and the load factor increased 21.7 percentage points to 77.0%, which was the highest load factor among the regions for the 17th consecutive month. 

African airlines had a 69.5% rise in February RPKs versus a year ago, a large improvement compared to the 20.5% year-over-year increase recorded in January 2022 compared to the same month in 2021. February 2022 capacity was up 34.7% and load factor climbed 12.9 percentage points to 63.0%. 

Domestic Passenger Markets

Brazil’s domestic traffic was up 32.5% in February, compared to February 2021, which was a slowdown compared to the 35.5% year-over-year growth recorded in January. 

US domestic RPKs rose 112.5% year-on-year in February, an improvement compared to the 98.4% rise in January versus the prior year. 

2022 vs 2019

The accelerated growth recorded in February 2022 compared to a year ago, is helping passenger demand catch-up to 2019 levels. Total RPKs in February were down 45.5% compared to February 2019, well ahead of the 49.6% decline recorded in January versus the same month in 2019. The domestic recovery continues to outpace that of international markets. 

The Bottom Line

“As the long-awaited recovery in air travel accelerates, it is important that our infrastructure providers are prepared for a huge increase in passenger numbers in the coming months. We are already seeing reports of unacceptably long lines at some airports owing to the growing number of travellers.” 

“And that is even before the surge of Easter holiday travel in many markets next week. The peak Northern summer travel season will be critical for jobs throughout the travel and tourism value chain. Now is the time to prepare. Governments can help by ensuring that border positions are staffed adequately and that background security checks for new staff are managed as efficiently as possible,” said Walsh.

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“As the curtain falls on 2021, which was a year of challenges and opportunities, we are starting operations in Bangladesh, with a new facility in Chattogram (Chittagong), which is a strategic business hub,” said Reena Abdulrahman, Chief Operating Officer of Alhind Tours and Travels.

The new office was inaugurated by Alhaj Mohammed Ismail Hossain, Mayor Chattogram Fatikchhari Municipality.

“We have been hugely successful in establishing in the travel industry globally and already grabbed a major share of the local market in India and the GCC. If we stay as we are, year on year the sales will plateau at best. But, we have to take our business to the next level, for which we have to expand and diversify,” Reena said.

“This is just the beginning of our strategic expansion plans and now is the time to look further afield, across the pond, into major destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and more.
It was the power of the team work that helped Alhind to grow fast and this is also the result of the collective effort, which we hope to continue in future as well,” she added.

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Positioned where the ‘sea and mountain hug’ travelers are invited to experience a haven of nature, discovery and tranquillity with an enticing offer inclusive of overnight stay, daily breakfast for two, resort credit and complimentary resort and kid’s activities. Playing tribute to the Sultanate’s most special day, white sands, stunning green landscapes and warm red terrains mirror the magnificence of the Omani flag flying overhead.

The property brings light to one of Salalah’s hidden gems, allowing guests to embark on an experience that is ‘surprisingly different’. Often described as an oasis of serenity, guests can expect to escape city life and head to a harbour of undisturbed luxury. 

For those looking to widen their horizons, Alila Hinu Bay has created a menu of awe-inducing experiences that encourage discovery; to explore the region through traditions, cuisine, environment, and the roots of its people and daily rituals, with various excursions and activities available. Whether romantic dining or family-friendly dinners, the 5-star resort offers locally-sourced menus with delectable dishes to savour whilst guests surrender to the crisp salty air and sounds of the shoreline.

This Omani National Day, embark on a harmonious journey of land, sea and sky in the heart of Dhofar, and reconnect with nature surrounded by mindful luxury. For more information and reservations visit www.alilahinubay.com email Reservations.hinubay@alilahotels.com  or call +968 23373350

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Speaking to ANI, Mattu said, “It is a big milestone. It is the very first international flight connecting two regions, which have deep cultural, social and hopefully will have economic bonds too. This will boost the tourism too, people from the Middle east can visit easily now.”

“This will give a boost in the tourism sector. The government is taking a good step towards the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The youth are also very happy with this decision, ” said a passenger.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off the first international flight services from Srinagar to Sharjah on Saturday. India’s low-cost airline Go First on Saturday became the first airline to launch direct flights from Srinagar to Sharjah.

The inaugural flight was flagged off by Shah from the Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar with a full contingent of passengers in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other dignitaries.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually attended the event from New Delhi.

GO FIRST will operate four flights every week between Srinagar and Sharjah. The direct flights from Sharjah will offer seamless connections to Srinagar and beyond to Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu, Leh and Mumbai and vice versa. (ANI)

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The airline will operate these flights as part of the bilateral ‘transport bubble’ agreement between India and France.
Vistara will fly twice a week between the two cities – on Wednesdays and Sundays. Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, the airline said in a statement.

“We are very pleased to commence flights to Paris, a step that reflects our commitment to growing our global network. These flights give us the opportunity to further build our presence in Europe and to present India’s finest full-service carrier to the world,” said Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara.

The all-inclusive, round-trip fares between Delhi and Paris are as follows: Delhi-Paris-Delhi would cost Rs 40,499 for economy, Rs 71,999 for premium economy and Rs 135,999 for business class. The return tickets from Paris-Delhi-Paris would cost euro 560, euro 880 and euro 2,020 for economy, premium economy and business class respectively.

The Delhi-Paris route of the airline will be served by Vistara’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The Dreamliner aircraft are equipped with highly efficient airflow and filtration systems that continuously refresh the cabin with air from outside. Powerful HEPA filters trap 99.9 per cent of particulates such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi and purify the air inside the cabin every two to three minutes, it further stated. (ANI)

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Many countries recorded a surge in Covid-19 transmissions caused by new variants with limited vaccine supplies hampering vaccination progress.

The region’s airlines carried only 1.4 million international passengers in June, just 4.4 per cent of the 32 million carried in the corresponding month in 2019.

With available seat capacity at 12.9 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, the average international passenger load factor of 31 per cent recorded in June was a 51 percentage point drop from that of the corresponding month in 2019.

It underscored significant challenges faced by airlines in the passenger segment which normally accounts for a significant portion of total airline revenue.

Meanwhile, air cargo markets remained resilient, supported by improved business confidence in advanced economies, in particular, the United States and Europe.

Accordingly, international air cargo demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres grew by 25.7 per cent year-on-year with volumes matching the same month in 2019.

Offered freight capacity saw an 11.7 per cent year-on-year increase, leading to an 8.2 percentage point jump in the average international freight load factor to 73.3 per cent for the month.

AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said many Asian economies are facing renewed challenges in bringing the pandemic under control and in progressing vaccination roll-outs.

“Prospects for an early recovery for Asian airlines are dim unless cohesive action is taken by governments to accelerate vaccination roll-outs and reopen borders safely based on ICAO and WHO guidelines,” he said in a statement.

The AAPA permanent secretariat is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur with international representation in Brussels and Washington DC.

Collectively, the region’s airlines carry 1,623 million passengers and 23 million tonnes of cargo, representing over one-third of global passenger and air cargo traffic, and thus play a leading role in the ongoing development of global aviation. (ANI)

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Easy Travel and Tours have prepared an amazing offer for those people in Oman who are planning their holidays abroad starting from July 31. With visa on arrival for 60 days and free of cost for Omani nationals, travel has become much easier to Kyrgyzstan. Easy Travel have arranged two weekly flights on Saturday and Monday.  The package from Easy Travels is inclusive of stay with breakfast and return flight to Muscat. 

Heavenly experience

The vast majority of attractions in Kyrgyzstan are rural and high altitude. Summer is ideal with hikes and roads accessible. Midsummer also sees tourists converge on the beaches of never-freezing Lake Issyk-Köl.

Bishkek, the capital city is modern and cosmopolitan but still preserves the essence of the Kyrgyz culture and Soviet architecture. Dig into the culinary diversions, arts scene or nightlife of Kyrgyzstan’s capital city and you may well be surprised by the vibrancy of this gateway to the heavenly mountain range Tien Shan. The Kyrgyz capital has museums, and good restaurants for you to experience 

Kyrgyz culture is based on nomadic traditions that harken back to the days of the Mongol hordes. Although modern Kyrgyz people live mainly in houses or apartment buildings, in the summer time it is still possible to observe the native people living in a yurt with their herds of sheep, goats, horses, and occasionally even yaks. There are a number of yurt camps that cater to tourists.

Other than exploring the Vibrant Osh bazaar and nightlife of Bishkek, there is ample to see and do for nature enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies at short drives from the city. Here’re some of the top landmarks to explore:

Ala Archa National Park: It is located 40 kilometers from Bishkek. One of the most famous natural areas in the country.

Issyk Ata Gorge: The Issyk Ata Gorge cuts through the Kyrgyz Range with views of alpine meadows and fruit trees. Only 77km or approximately 1.5 hours from Bishkek, the Issyk Ata Gorge is perfect for hiking between April and October. This water is used for medical and recreational purposes, as well as for household consumption and heating. The hot water has a positive impact on the musculoskeletal system, internal organs, and neurological diseases.

Konorchek Canyon: A quick day trip from Bishkek, the canyon is made from red rocks and similar to the Fairytale Canyon (Skazka Canyon) on Issyk-Kul’s southside.

What are the offers from Easy Travels?

Starting from 31st July, Easy Travel and Tours will arrange two weekly flights from Muscat

Bishkek-Muscat. 

4 star hotel for five nights: OMR 440 per person on twin sharing basis with breakfast

5 star hotel for five nights: OMR 469 per person  on twin sharing basis with breakfast

4 star hotel for seven nights: OMR 517 per person  on twin sharing basis with breakfast

5 star hotel for seven nights: OMR 556 per person  on twin sharing basis with breakfast

The package is inclusive of stay with breakfast and return flight to Muscat.  

• Visa on Arrival for 60 days & Free of Cost for Omani Nationals.
• No Quarantine in Bishkek for arriving passengers. 

For those who are looking to travel can contact Easy Travels on 96973213 / 96439887 (Whatsapp) and 95219545 (Arabic)

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As per the airline’s notice, the passengers who have travelled through Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka in the last 14 days will also not be allowed to enter the UAE from any other point.

“UAE Nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with updated COVID-19 protocols are exempt and may be accepted for travel,” the statement said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the UAE has banned its citizens from traveling to several countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Last month, UAE extended the travel ban on passengers from 14 countries until July 21 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANI)

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The call follows the latest development in events following incident when Ryanair FR4978 was intercepted over Belarus airspace and forced to land in Minsk.

On June 2, EASA replaced its recommendation (Safety Information Bulletin) for European airlines to carefully assess the risk of flying in Belarus airspace with a blanket prohibition (Safety Directive) on European aircraft entering Belarus airspace.

“Aviation safety must never be politicised. IATA condemned the actions of Belarus government and called for an independent investigation. Banning European aircraft from using Belarusian airspace with a safety directive is also a politicisation of aviation safety,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“This is a retrograde and disappointing development. EASA should rescind its prohibition and allow airlines to manage safety as they do each and every day — with their normal operational risk assessments. Politics should never interfere with the safe operation of aircraft and politicians should never use aviation safety as a cover to pursue political or diplomatic agendas,” he said.

On May 23, Ryanair flight FR4978, while overflying Belarus en-route from Athens to its final destination, Vilnius, was made to divert and land in Minsk by Belarusian authorities.

Several airlines have continued to use Belarusian airspace. IATA supports their decision to do so. On May 27, the council of International Civil Aviation Organisation decided to undertake a fact-finding investigation into the Belarus incident which IATA fully supports. (ANI)

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Strategies without quarantine measures can enable international travel to restart with a low risk of introduction of Covid-19 to the travel destination.

“Data can and should drive policies on restarting global travel that manage Covid-19 risks to protect populations, revive livelihoods and boost economies,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“We call on the G7 governments to agree on the use of data to safely plan and coordinate the return of the freedom to travel which is so important to people, livelihoods and businesses,” he said.

Evidence continues to show that vaccination protects travellers from serious illness and death, and carries a low risk of introducing the virus into destination countries.

Walsh said a challenge is the potential of barriers to travel for unvaccinated people which will create an unacceptable exclusion.

Data regarding international travellers arriving in the United Kingdom (with no reference to vaccination status) shows that the vast majority of travellers pose no risk for the introduction of Covid-19 cases after arrival.

“Many governments continue to require universal quarantine — either hotel-managed or self-managed. This impedes the freedom of movement, discourages international travel and destroys employment in the travel and tourism sector,” said Walsh.

“We now have more than a year of global data that can help governments make more targeted decisions on international travel,” he said.

“This can keep the risk of importing Covid cases low — including variants of concern — while restarting international travel with minimal infringement on the ability to live normal work and social lives. Importantly, lives that include travel,” said Walsh. (ANI)

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