The International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirmed that domestic travel demand improved in April 2021 compared to the previous month. Nonetheless, it remained well below pre-pandemic levels, while recovery in international passenger travel continued to be at a standstill.

Total air travel demand in April 2021 was down 65.4% compared to April 2019. It was an improvement over the 66.9% decline recorded in March 2021 versus the same month in 2019. Domestic markets primarily impacted this better performance. Total domestic demand was down 25.7% versus April 2019 results. As of March 2021, all markets except India and Brazil showed improvement.

“The continuing strong recovery in domestic markets tells us that when people are given the freedom to fly, they take advantage of it. Unfortunately, that freedom still does not exist in most international markets. When it does, I’m confident we will see a similar resurgence in demand,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.