Incheon International Airport website
In a promising sign of recovery, the number of passengers on domestic carriers in the first half of this year reached an impressive 84% of pre-COVID-19 levels, according to data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on June 2nd.
The combined figures for both domestic and international routes amounted to 53.39 million passengers during the first six months of the year. This robust figure equated to 83.9% of the 63.62 million passengers recorded during the same period in 2019, signaling a significant rebound in travel activity.
Prior to the pandemic, the number of passengers on domestic carriers exceeded 60 million in both 2018 and 2019. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 severely impacted the industry, reducing the figure to 30.17 million in 2020. The gradual recovery saw numbers rise to 31.92 million in 2021, 39.45 million last year, and now surpassing 50 million in the first half of this year.
Specifically focusing on domestic routes, 32.79 million passengers were recorded in the first half of the year, accounting for 61.4% of the total and reflecting a 1.2% increase compared to the same period in 2019.
For international travel, 20.61 million passengers were recorded, constituting 38.6% of the total and approximately two-thirds (66%) of the first-half figure observed in 2019, which stood at 31.24 million.
Notably, passenger traffic displayed consistent growth throughout each month of the first half of the year. January recorded 8.6 million passengers, followed by 8.45 million in February, 8.61 million in March, 8.95 million in April, 9.44 million in May, and 9.35 million in June. All six months exhibited an increase of over 80% compared to the same months in 2019.
The recovery in the aviation industry was characterized by low-cost carriers experiencing a faster rebound, driven by surging demand for short-distance flights to Japan and Southeast Asia. Conversely, larger airlines focusing on mid- to long-haul routes witnessed a slower recovery.
Air cargo also demonstrated a strong rebound, reaching 1.4 million tons, equivalent to 91.2% of the cargo transported during the first half of 2019. Korean Air, accounting for 54% of the transported freight, handled 760,000 tons, representing 92.6% of the figure from the same period four years ago. Asiana Airlines, with a 27% share, transported 385,000 tons, amounting to 80.7% of the cargo volume recorded during the corresponding period.
The encouraging data reflects positive momentum in the aviation sector as domestic air travel continues its upward trajectory, inching closer to pre-pandemic levels and fueling optimism for the industry's recovery.
Sayart.net
Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com
