In an astonishing rebound, air passenger travel to and from the United States has witnessed a remarkable resurgence, signalling a robust recovery of the aviation sector. December 2023 marked a significant milestone, with air passenger enplanements soaring by 15.4% compared to the previous year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). This resurgence has surpassed December 2022 figures and remarkably reached 102.5% of the pre-pandemic levels of December 2019.

A deeper dive into the data reveals that non-U.S. citizen air passenger arrivals to the United States from foreign countries escalated to 5.201 million in December 2023, marking a substantial 19% increase compared to the same period in 2022. This figure stands at an impressive 92.4% of the pre-pandemic volume of December 2019. Moreover, U.S. citizen air passenger departures to foreign countries totalled 6.130 million, up 12.6% from December 2022 and exceeding December 2019 volumes by a notable 16.6%.

The trend is not just a flash in the pan but part of a sustained increase in travel demand. December 2023 also marked the 10th consecutive month where overseas visitor arrivals exceeded 2.0 million. The December figure reached 88.1% of the pre-pandemic levels, a significant leap from 82.8% in November 2023.

Regionally, the United States witnessed a diverse mix of travel patterns. Travel between the U.S. and Europe saw a 9.9% increase over December 2022, with a slight 4.1% decrease from December 2019. South/Central America and the Caribbean regions also experienced a surge, with a 19.0% increase over December 2022 and a 17.3% rise compared to December 2019. However, Asia still lags behind, with a 38.5% increase over December 2022 but a 29.8% decrease from December 2019.

In terms of specific locations, the leading U.S. ports serving international destinations were New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Newark (EWR). London Heathrow (LHR), Cancun (CUN), Toronto (YYZ), Mexico City (MEX), and Paris (CDG) topped the list of foreign ports serving U.S. locations.

This resurgence in air travel is not only a testament to the resilience of the travel industry but also reflects the growing confidence among travellers. The rebound is a beacon of hope, signalling a return to normalcy and a bright future for global connectivity and economic growth. As we look ahead, the aviation sector appears poised for a sustained period of growth, underpinning the broader recovery of the global economy.

Written by: Matthew Thomas

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