Aviation

Airline passengers numbers forecast to return to pre-pandemic levels late next year

Leasing firm Avolon says sector set to “thrive” this year, driven largely by the reopening of China

Air travel: Profit in the sector is set to reach $4.7 billion this year. Picture: Getty

Global airline passenger numbers are forecast to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year, according to a new report from PwC.

Today’s Aviation Industry Review and Outlook predicts a 21 per cent increase in revenue paying passenger per kilometre in 2023, followed by a 17 per cent increase in 2024.

Outbound travel and the reopening of China following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, meanwhile, are likely to lead to increased demand this ...