At that time, the industry was on its knees as most countries around the world – including Britain – still had travel restrictions and quarantine measures in place, forcing millions of people to go on “staycations” instead of jetting off abroad.
Nevertheless, two years have passed and UK travel businesses are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Data published on Wednesday (22 March) by the Civil Aviation Authority show that UK air travel is at 75% of 2019 levels, as 224 million travellers passed through British airports in 2022.
This represents a 242% surge on the previous year, when only 65.4 million people travelled to and from the UK.
Travel analyst Rob Staines said the figures proved that “consumer demand and thirst for travel remained undeterred.”
“These figures represent a continued trend that holidays and trips abroad show no sign of slowing as we emerge from the pandemic,” he told TTG. “The effect of this is far-reaching – representing increasing confidence in the industry and protecting jobs and businesses in a sector so vital to the UK economy.”
Staines’ words were echoed by aviation expert and academic Francesco Ragni, who said even macroeconomic and political challenges – such as the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis – couldn’t stop Britons from going on holidays.
CAA figures show air travel’s recovery has been mostly consistent around the country, with London and Scotland at around 74% of pre-Covid levels, and Wales at 79%. Airports have reported similar levels of recovery, with Bristol likely becoming the first hub to return to its former figures.
The bounceback was, however, clouded by the summer’s staffing shortages, which forced airports across the country to cap daily departures and cancel 2% of total flights.
“That bounceback in passenger numbers was at times overshadowed by the challenges that the aviation sector faced in the early summer of 2022, which saw an unacceptable level of flight cancellations and delays,” said CAA head of consumers, Anna Bowles.
The data also has reported that only 63% of flights have been on time over the past year, down on the 75% reported in 2019.
Which? director of policy and advocacy Rocio Concha said the figures were "unsurprising to anyone who endured the widespread chaos at UK airports last year".
"Airlines’ unacceptable treatment of passengers cannot be allowed to stand," Concha added. "We are calling on the Transport Secretary to act without delay and give the Civil Aviation Authority the powers it needs to fine airlines when they break the law and fail in their responsibility to passengers."
Her words were echoed by Bowles, who said the CAA expected to "see increased resilience and continues improved performance by airlines in 2023".
