Demand for flights fell by 20% after the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East – Kommersant
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Demand for international flights has fallen significantly in recent weeks, which, as noted by Financial Times (FT), is the first sign of the impact of the conflict between Israel and Hamas on the industry. According to analytics company ForwardKeys, the number of airline ticket bookings in the three-week period from October 7 was 20% lower than in the same period in pre-Covid 2019. Before the events of October 7, bookings were 15% lower than in 2019.
The decline reversed the boom in international travel demand that had begun to recover following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to ForwardKeys management spokesman Olivier Ponty, the war “has hit the strong demand recovery trend” that has persisted throughout this year. “This war is causing people to put off flying to the region, but it is also eroding consumer confidence in traveling anywhere,” the expert said.
Demand for flights has fallen differently in different regions. Most of all, according to ForwardKeys, it fell on flights to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region – by more than 30%. To European countries – by 21%, to African countries – by 17%, to the countries of North and South America – by 9%. Demand for flights to the Middle East before the conflict between Israel and Hamas showed a 13 percent increase compared to 2019. Since the start of the conflict, demand has fallen by 13%. Meanwhile, the FT cites other analysts, according to whom other factors, including, for example, inflationary pressure, may be affecting the decline in demand for flights.
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