Airlines fear losses as airports impose passenger caps
RECOVERY: Air travel in Africa is on a recovery path which is the case elsewhere two months ago but is facing major disruption as a result of caps imposed by global airports on daily passenger numbers.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), African airlines had a 103.6 per cent rise in June Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) versus a year ago.
International traffic between Africa and neighbouring regions is close to pre-pandemic, it adds.
“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,” Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said in a statement.
But Walsh said by capping passenger numbers, airports are preventing airlines from benefitting from the strong demand.
Last month, Kenya Airways (KQ) slashed passenger capacity to Europe by 22 per cent, with the airline forced to fly with empty seats after Amsterdam-based Schiphol International Airport reduced the national carrier’s passenger capacity.
Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka said Amsterdam has restricted the number of outbound passengers to enable the airport to handle the security with manpower shortages.
