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Airport modernization is crucial to sustaining travel growth and recovery
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Global recovery remains “on track” as revenue passenger kilometers are at 96% of 2019 levels
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The Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead in air travel growth for the next 20 years due to rising demand, putting pressure on existing infrastructure
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Collaboration between the government and the private sector is vital for safe and efficient travel
Airport modernization is crucial to sustaining travel growth and recovery, according to an official of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the 2023 Aviation Summit held at the Marriott Hotel Manila.
Yuli Thompson, IATA area manager for Southeast Asia, urged the Philippines to prioritize development and modernization of its airport infrastructure along with improving international air connectivity. As of June 2023, the country’s international air connectivity remains below 19% of pre-pandemic levels, stressing the need for improvement.
In a presentation titled “Growth & Recovery in the Aviation Market,” Thompson said the global recovery is on track, with revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) at 96% of 2019 levels, per IATA’s monthly analysis in June 2023. RPK is a key figure of the airline industry that indicates the number of kilometers traveled by paying passengers.
The growth is being achieved despite global challenges in the delivery of airplane parts affecting airline operators; much-needed infrastructure; and airport capacity due to revenge travel.
Thompson noted that international air traffic in the Asia-Pacific region has been steadily increasing, reaching 74% of pre-COVID levels by July 2023.
Though lagging globally, the region has been “fast recovering” since the beginning of this year, with many countries in Asia only just opening their borders for tourism and relaxing restrictions on air travel.
For the next 20 years she said the Asia Pacific will lead air traffic growth. Such growth is, however, placing a strain on infrastructure, making necessary government and private sector collaboration to ensure safe and efficient passenger experiences.
The September 27-28 summit themed “Philippine Aviation: Ready for Takeoff,” was attended by, among others, Senator Grace Poe. Poe who chairs the Committee on Public Services, keynoted session 1 (Growth of the Aviation Industry for the 2023 Aviation Summit) where she discussed Senate Bill Nos. 1073 and 1121, which respectively create the Philippine Airports Authority and Philippine Transportation Safety Board.
The summit was organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Asian Business Aviation Association. – Michael Barcas
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