Tag Archives: Willie Walsh

Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed confidence that India would ease bilateral flying rights, especially as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo broadened their fleets with wide-body aircraft. He underlined the benefits of such agreements, highlighting that an increase in the rights will enable Indian airlines to offer more direct international connections.

IATA forecasts a global airline profit of $36.6 billion in 2025, despite ongoing challenges. This will be a hard-earned achievement as airlines navigate lower oil prices, high load factors, cost controls, decarbonisation efforts, and a return to normal growth levels following the pandemic. Association expects airlines to adapt and thrive.

The International Air Transport Association released data for March 2024 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers , was up 13.8% compared to March 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers , was up 12.3% year-on-year. The March load factor was 82.0% (+1.0ppt compared to March 2023). International demand rose 18.9% compared to March 2023; capacity was up 18.8% year-on-year and the load factor improved to 81.6% (+0.1ppt on March 2023). Domestic demand rose 6.6% compared to March 2023; capacity was up 3.4% year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6% (+2.5ppt compared to March 2023). Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said, “Demand for travel is strong. And there is every indication that this should continue into the peak Northern Summer travel season. It is critical that we have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers. That means making urgent progress to resolve supply chain issues and for airports and air traffic management to be fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency. While airlines are prepared for customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, they are fed-up of bearing the cost when delays and cancellations are the result of poor preparation in other parts of the value chain.” Air Passenger Market in Detail MARCH 2024 (% YEAR-ON-YEAR) WORLD SHARE​1 RPK ASK PLF(%-PT)​2 PLF(LEVEL)​3 Total Market 100% 13.8% 12.3% 1.0% 82.0% Africa 2.1% 10.0% 12.3% -1.5% 72.1% Asia Pacific 31.7% 24.2% 17.9% 4.3% 83.5% Europe 27.1% 10.6% 10.2% 0.3% 80.9% Latin America 5.5% 10.9% 8.8% 1.5% 83.1% Middle East 9.4% 10.5% 13.6% -2.1% 77.5% North America 24.2% 6.3% 7.6% -1.0% 83.7% 1) % of industry RPKs in 2023    …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for June 2022 showing a strong recovery. In terms of the domestic passenger market, India constitutes 2.2 percent of the global share, it revealed. Demand for air travel remains strong. “After two years of lockdowns and border restrictions people are taking advantage of the freedom to travel wherever they can,” said Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, has said that the first lesson from pandemic was that closing borders is not the right response to a pandemic. “Data has revealed that borders should not have been closed and relaxations should have come much sooner,” he added.

Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA has said that international travel in first and business class is recovering faster than in economy, when it comes to international travel. “I think that points to a very important sector for the market which we call premium leisure and I expect premium to continue to recover quickly,” he said.

With industry-wide air travel demand (in RPKs) having dropped by 65.9% year-on-year, Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, says, “2020 was a year that we’d all like to forget. But analysing the performance statistics for the year reveals an amazing story of perseverance. It was the rapid action by airlines and the commitment of our people that saw the airline industry through the most difficult year in its history.”

Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, has said, “Data must drive global restart policies that manage COVID-19 risks while reviving livelihoods and boosting economies.” He adds that travel cannot be restricted only to those who are vaccinated because data suggests that testing, not quarantine, is the solution. Screening can keep COVID-19 importation at manageable levels.

Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA), speaking at the ATM 2021, said that the aviation industry will take time to repair their balance sheets. “Airlines are not going to be able to take the risk of operating unprofitable routes in the short term,” he said. He also warned that while those airlines that survive would fill the gaps left by those that fail, they would have to be careful how quickly they rebuild.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that Willie Walsh has officially taken on the role of Director General of the organization. He succeeds Alexandre de Juniac. “I am passionate about our industry and about the critical work that IATA does on behalf of its members, never more so than during the COVID-19 crisis. IATA has been at the forefront of efforts to restart global connectivity, including developing the IATA Travel Pass. Less visible but of equal importance, airlines continue to rely on IATA’s financial settlement systems, Timatic and other vital services to support their day-to-day operations. I am grateful to Alexandre for leaving behind a strong organization and a motivated team. Together, the IATA team is absolutely focused on restoring the freedom of movement that airlines provide to billions of people around the world. That means your freedom to visit friends and family, to meet critical business partners, to secure and retain vital contracts, and to explore our wonderful planet,” said Walsh.