The novel coronavirus, more properly known as COVID-19, has officially had a tangible impact on the global airline industry, as International Air Transport Association released the first official numbers from January.

Globally, air traffic demand for January 2020 climbed 2.4 per cent from January 2019. This is down from 4.6 per cent year-over-year growth for the prior month and represents the lowest monthly increase since April 2010.

“January was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the traffic impacts we are seeing owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, given that major travel restrictions in China did not begin until 23 January,” said Alaxandre de Juniac, general director and CEO, IATA.

In China, domestic traffic fell 6.8 per cent. In late January and early February, China’s Ministry of Transport reported an 80 per cent annual fall in volumes. Growth for February is expected to continue the pattern of decline as more restrictions and travel advisories went into effect as the month went on.

In North America, international demand rose 2.9 per cent compared to last January. Capacity climbed 1.6 per cent. In terms of domestic traffic, airlines in the United States reported a generous 7.5 per cent increase. The growth is down from 10.1 per cent in December.

“The COVID-19 outbreak is a global crisis that is testing the resilience not only of the airline industry but of the global economy. Airlines are experiencing double-digit declines in demand, and on many routes traffic has collapsed,” de Juniac continued.

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