June global air demand reached 94.2 per cent of June 2019 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The figures show a slight dip from the 96.1 per cent recovery level reported for May, and the pace of growth also slowed.
Total June traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), increased 31 per cent year over year. May's increase was 39.1 per cent.
Global capacity increased 28.8 per cent versus June 2022, and reached 94.5 per cent of June 2019 levels. Passenger load factor also increased 1.4 percentage points year over year to 84.2 per cent.
European carriers posted a 14 per cent traffic rise for June compared with last year, and capacity rose 12.6 per cent. Load factor climbed 1.1 percentage points to 87.8 per cent, which was the second highest among the regions.
IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement: "The northern summer travel season got off to a strong start in June with double-digit demand growth and average load factors topping 84 per cent. Planes are full, which is good news for airlines, local economies, and travel and tourism-dependent jobs."
International demand for June was up 33.7 per cent versus a year prior, with all markets showing "robust growth." That figure represents 88.2 per cent of June 2019 levels. Capacity increased 31.7 per cent, which was down 13.2 per cent versus pre-pandemic levels.
Only North America reported an increase over June 2019 demand levels, of 2 per cent. Though Asia-Pacific reported the highest increase year over year, traffic remains down 29 per cent from June 2019.
For the domestic market June traffic rose 27.2 per cent compared to the same month a year ago and was 5.1 per cent above the June 2019 results. Domestic demand was up 33.3 per cent in the 2023 first half compared to a year ago.
Walsh added: ”As strong as travel demand has been, arguably it could be even stronger… demand is outrunning capacity growth. Well-documented problems in the aviation supply chain mean that many airlines have not taken delivery of all the new, more environmentally friendly aircraft they had expected, while numerous aircraft are parked awaiting critical spare parts... Delays and trimmed schedules are frustrating for both passengers and their airlines."