IATA: Middle Eastern region not expected to reach 2019 traffic levels until 2024

IATA announced (21-Oct-2020) a full return to 2019 levels in the Middle East region is not expected until late 2024. Passenger numbers in the region are projected to reach 30% of 2019 levels in FY2020, down from previous projections of 45%, while demand is expected to reach 45% of 2019 levels in 2021. In absolute numbers, it is expected the Middle East will handle 60 million travellers in 2020, compared to 203 million in 2019 and an expected 90 million in 2021. IATA regional VP for Africa and the Middle East Muhammad Albakri stated: "This heightens the urgency for governments to adopt systematic COVID-19 testing to restart travel and curb the economic devastation that is being caused because people cannot travel". [more - original PR]