, Columnist
Asian Air Travel Faces a Long, Cold Summer
We are unlikely to see a recovery to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon.
Getting travelers to spread their wings.
Photographer: Ore Huiying/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Asian travelers don’t seem ready to return to the skies. If there’s any hope for the region’s airlines, it’s that this summer season spurs families and new flyers to spread their wings both locally and across the oceans.
Data from carriers and industry bodies show strong growth and solid load factors, indications that the extra capacity being added to routes is finding a market among passengers willing to book a seat. These numbers are misleading. What we’re seeing is an industry shaking off the remnants of the Covid-19 pandemic but without a sustained appetite for air travel.