The global air travel market has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, with the industry upbeat about 2026 and the Asia-Pacific region expected to lead worldwide traffic growth, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Monday.
Load factors in Asia-Pacific were projected to hit an all-time regional high of 84.4 per cent next year, according to IATA, which represents some 370 airlines, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the world’s air traffic.
Passenger demand was strong, with China and India leading regional growth, fuelled by a rebound in tourism and the expanding middle classes, IATA said at a press conference in Beijing.
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Direct flights between China and India, the world’s two most populous countries, resumed in late October after a five-year pandemic-induced halt. Scheduled flights are now operating on key routes linking New Delhi with Shanghai and Guangzhou.
“We are optimistic about the industry’s growth outlook,” said Xie Xingquan, regional vice-president of North Asia at IATA. “The easing of visa rules for Chinese visitors by multiple countries and China’s roll-out of unilateral visa policies for foreign travellers have further stimulated travel demand.”
Visa relaxations for Chinese group tours to South Korea, visa-free access for South Korean visitors to China, and the China-Russia reciprocal visa exemption were expected to boost short-term inbound demand during peak holiday periods, Xie said.
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