European airports body sees traffic hopes falling short as Omicron hits loads

Early data published by airports body ACI Europe covering the three weeks since the Omicron variant emerged indicates passenger traffic at airports in the region has fallen by a fifth. While some drop in traffic during the three-week period covering late November and the first half of December may be expected given it is a lull period before the Christmas holiday season, the estimated 12 point drop in load factors on flights from European airports – from 66% to 54% three weeks later – indicates demand failed to keep pace with capacity. ACI Europe director general Olivier Jankovec says: ”It is no surprise that the flight bans to Southern Africa and the patchy travel restrictions imposed by many Governments on other markets – including within Europe – have directly impacted traffic levels in the past weeks. Business travel has been the first to recede, now followed by leisure travel given the extreme uncertainty and prospects of more restrictions both on travel and local life.” The airports body does report a partial pick up in passenger traffic, up 9%, in the past week, and a two-point improvement in load factors to 56%. That ties in with the start of festive season travel. ”Last week’s data shows that only ’visiting family and relatives’ travel is somehow holding up for now, as Europeans are craving getting together and reuniting with loved ones for Christmas,” Jankovec notes.<br/>