<p>Tata Sons-backed AirAsia India expects full passenger traffic as well as capacity recovery in 2022 sans a third Covid wave triggered via the Omicron variant.</p>.<p>In a conversation with <em>IANS</em>, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, AirAsia India said that overall airline industry is operating at 83 per cent pre-Covid levels and the traffic has been recovering at a fast rate.</p>.<p>"Festive period beginning October saw a significant bounce back in passenger traffic which is continuing till the year-end."</p>.<p>Besides, he said that 'Visiting Friends and Relatives' (VFR) segment was the earliest to recover as people overcame inhibitions and travelled starting from Dussehra in October.</p>.<p>"There has been a steady uptick in leisure travel as well, particularly in leisure destinations on our network like Goa, Srinagar, Jaipur, Kochi, where there is a strong directionality in traffic around holidays and extended weekends indicating that people are travelling for leisure."</p>.<p>"During the month of November, we have also seen an improvement in corporate traffic as 'Work From Home' mandates are being lifted gradually and people are returning to a full or partial 'Work From Office' model."</p>.<p>According to Garg, relaxation in capacity restrictions and a gradual improvement in the economy has accelerated the demand for air travel.</p>.<p>"However, the sustainability of the same would depend on the pandemic situation and economic recovery going forward."</p>.<p>On the upcoming year, Garg expects full traffic recovery to pre-Covid levels assuming no further severe pandemic waves hits the country.</p>.<p>"Over the course of the last 2 years, we have been working on many customer service, digital and revenue improvement initiatives."</p>.<p>"The positive impact of such initiatives should be felt more prominently in the coming year once the traffic recovers to pre-Covid levels."</p>.<p>Besides, he pointed out that passengers' apprehensions around the new Omicron variant, as well as perceived uncertainties around quarantine, testing, lockdown rules by state governments, have had a dampening effect on bookings since the last week of November.</p>.<p>"While immediate travel plans remain unchanged, it appears that people are waiting to make bookings for farther out periods."</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Tata Sons-backed AirAsia India expects full passenger traffic as well as capacity recovery in 2022 sans a third Covid wave triggered via the Omicron variant.</p>.<p>In a conversation with <em>IANS</em>, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, AirAsia India said that overall airline industry is operating at 83 per cent pre-Covid levels and the traffic has been recovering at a fast rate.</p>.<p>"Festive period beginning October saw a significant bounce back in passenger traffic which is continuing till the year-end."</p>.<p>Besides, he said that 'Visiting Friends and Relatives' (VFR) segment was the earliest to recover as people overcame inhibitions and travelled starting from Dussehra in October.</p>.<p>"There has been a steady uptick in leisure travel as well, particularly in leisure destinations on our network like Goa, Srinagar, Jaipur, Kochi, where there is a strong directionality in traffic around holidays and extended weekends indicating that people are travelling for leisure."</p>.<p>"During the month of November, we have also seen an improvement in corporate traffic as 'Work From Home' mandates are being lifted gradually and people are returning to a full or partial 'Work From Office' model."</p>.<p>According to Garg, relaxation in capacity restrictions and a gradual improvement in the economy has accelerated the demand for air travel.</p>.<p>"However, the sustainability of the same would depend on the pandemic situation and economic recovery going forward."</p>.<p>On the upcoming year, Garg expects full traffic recovery to pre-Covid levels assuming no further severe pandemic waves hits the country.</p>.<p>"Over the course of the last 2 years, we have been working on many customer service, digital and revenue improvement initiatives."</p>.<p>"The positive impact of such initiatives should be felt more prominently in the coming year once the traffic recovers to pre-Covid levels."</p>.<p>Besides, he pointed out that passengers' apprehensions around the new Omicron variant, as well as perceived uncertainties around quarantine, testing, lockdown rules by state governments, have had a dampening effect on bookings since the last week of November.</p>.<p>"While immediate travel plans remain unchanged, it appears that people are waiting to make bookings for farther out periods."</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>