New insights from Collinson’s Priority Pass reveal the extent of the increase in airport lounge visits, corresponding to a growth in momentum of flight numbers. 

 

Total lounge visits across the Priority Pass network are up by 46 per cent in the first half of 2021 from the second half of 2020. 

 

The lounges are well-positioned along the most travelled international flight routes based on data from global travel data provider, OAG, with 91% of the top 100 busiest airports and 79% of the 100 most active terminals globally featuring a Priority Pass lounge and airport experience, according to a statement from Collinson. 

 

Lounge data reveals optimistic outlook, starting with regional travel

 

Air travel is back, and across the Mena region, evidence of a recovery in international travel is also growing. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is projecting a strong performance in the second half of the year after clocking 10.6 million passengers in the first six months of 2021. 

 

As of early August, DXB was serving 68% of the destinations in 94% of the countries on 70% of the airlines, when compared to data pre-pandemic. 

 

Among the reasons for optimism is the UAE’s removal from the UK’s ‘Red list’ to ‘Amber’, the resumption of incoming flights from India, and the decision to resume issuing tourist visas to vaccinated travellers from all countries.

 

Similarly, Saudi Arabia has begun allowing fully vaccinated tourist visa holders to enter without the need for an institutional quarantine period. Flights to South Africa, Argentina, and the UAE have resumed. 

 

These developments in the two major Mena markets are indicative of a renewed appetite for international travel. Currently, over 75% of lounges across the globe are open for business, and visitor data recorded a 28% month-on-month increase between June and July 2021. 

 

According to Priority Pass, with this boost from increased regional travel, average visits per lounge are also up 34% for H1 of 2021, compared to H2 2020 – which is in line with previous data showing that 48% of Priority Pass members are more likely to use airport lounges as compared to before the pandemic. 

 

International flight recovery outlook is hopeful, but not evenly distributed 

 

While recovery is taking off globally, some regions are doing better than others. The US is forecast to be the first region to see flights recover to pre-pandemic volumes, while APAC is expected to be the slowest region to recover. 

 

Markets in APAC are only forecast to be at 40% flight volumes as compared to pre-pandemic levels by April 2022. Priority Pass projects that the first region to hit over 60% recovery for lounge visits will be Cemea, followed by Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, with Canada coming in last. 

 

Director South Asia and Commercial Director, Middle East and Africa at Collinson, Priyanka Lakhani said: “It is encouraging to see the re-opening of borders across the GCC as this is a key step towards travel recovery in the region. The UAE is a favoured destination for many GCC travellers. Before the pandemic, in Q4 2019, more than 1.25 million people visited the UAE from Saudi Arabia alone. 

 

"While we look forward to a broader recovery, propelled by regional Covid-19 vaccination campaigns, easing of regional travel restrictions and the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai, we are already seeing better utilisation of our lounges.

 

“Our projections show that Cemea, of which the Mena region is part, is projected to see a solid recovery. Mena region travellers demand premium travel experiences, and Priority Pass has invested significantly to boost traveller confidence and meet their need for a peaceful space to relax and recuperate in before a flight.”

 

Currently, the Priority Pass international lounge network covers terminals for 83% of international flights from North America, 86% for Cemea, 84% for all of Europe, 97% for the UK, and 87% for APAC.-TradeArabia News Service