Middle Eastern Airlines Spearhead Aviation Recovery with Traffic Surge

Middle Eastern carriers are leading the aviation recovery in May with traffic at 17% above 2019 levels, according to a report from International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airlines in the region saw a 31% traffic increase compared to May a year ago. Capacity climbed 25% and the load factor pushed up almost 4 percentage points to 80%. Globally, traffic in May is now at 96% of May 2019 levels.

Carriers registered in the Middle East also witnessed an increase in their passenger load factors, which stood at 80%, while outperforming their 2019 load factors by almost 7 percentage points.

“The strong demand for travel is one element supporting a return to profitability by airlines. In 2023 we expect airlines globally to post a $9.8 billion net profit. But a 1.2% average net profit margin is just $2.25 per departing passenger. As a return, that is not sustainable in the long-term,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.

Sustainability Is A Priority for Leisure Travelers

A new research study by Bain & Company reveals a growing interest in sustainable tourism among leisure travelers worldwide. The study shows that travelers are increasingly choosing destinations and providers based on their sustainability records and are willing to pay a premium for it. However, some travelers still feel that the travel and tourism sector needs to do more to be sustainable.

“The uptake in sustainable tourism is driven by an appetite to travel sustainably and make more responsible choices. Bain has developed a framework defining the components of a sustainable tourism experience around three pillars — environmental impact, social responsibility, and community engagement,” said Karim Henain, partner at Bain & Company Middle East.

The study also highlights the significant opportunity among sustainability enthusiasts interested in visiting the Middle East and Africa region. The research covered consumers from six markets: Germany, Italy, France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and China. Overall, consumers consider sustainability important when traveling, expect it to become more important in the future, and are willing to pay extra for sustainable offerings.

Saudi Citizens Granted Visa-Free Entry to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Citizens of Saudi Arabia have been grante