A rebound in bookings and flights has the aviation industry closely watching the ratio of seats being filled, a crucial measure of demand and a guide to profitability. Yet an equally consequential number will need to be tracked if we’re to understand whether the sector has truly recovered from the Covid epidemic.

Passenger load factor, a commonly used measure that shows the percentage of capacity utilized, stands at 81.3% in Asia for the year through to the end of September. That’s a huge jump from 69.2% a year ago, and roughly in line with the level recorded for the same period in 2019. Yet operators are running well below pre-pandemic levels, so such standard metrics don’t tell the whole story, and indicate that while passengers may be returning, economic uncertainty is holding them back from taking as many flights as they used to.

QOSHE - Airlines Are Watching One Number, and Willing It to Rise - Tim Culpan
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Airlines Are Watching One Number, and Willing It to Rise

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30.11.2023

A rebound in bookings and flights has the aviation industry closely watching the ratio of seats being filled, a crucial measure of demand and a guide to profitability. Yet an equally consequential number will need........

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