IATA March figures show domestic demand surge

The latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that passenger traffic fell in March 2021 compared to pre-COVID levels in March 2019 but rose compared to February 2021. 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, however. International passenger demand in March was 87.8% below March 2019, a very small improvement