Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the impact of Covid-19, unless otherwise noted comparisons are to May 2019. Total demand for air travel in May 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 62.7% compared to May 2019. That was a gain over the 65.2% decline recorded in April 2021 versus 2019.

International passenger demand in May was 85.1% below May 2019, a small step-up from the 87.2% decline in April 2021 versus two years ago. All regions with the exception of Asia-Pacific contributed to this modest improvement.Total domestic demand was down 23.9% versus pre-crisis levels

‘We are starting to see positive developments, with some international markets opening to vaccinated travellers. The Northern Hemisphere summer travel season has fully arrived. It is disappointing more governments are not moving to use data to drive border opening strategies,’ says Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.