According to research released by travel analytics firm ForwardKeys, consumers are still “dreaming of travel” despite an almost total global collapse in airline demand amid the global pandemic.

Although much of the world’s population was in lockdown during March, analysis of flight searches in a number of countries during that month reveals that people were still researching foreign travel. Furthermore they have a disproportionate interest in long haul travel in the last six months of the year.

Countries researched include Italy, Spain, France, Japan and South Korea.

Olivier Ponti, VP Insights, ForwardKeys said: “Whilst we are currently looking at a catastrophic contraction of the aviation market, with a tiny proportion of flights still in the air carrying cargo, repatriations and essential travel, there are some noteworthy patterns in the data to bear in mind.

“First, the peak for summer holiday bookings is in May, so if the lockdown can end soon, there may yet be a chance to rescue the summer season, at least partially.
“Second, flight search data strongly suggests that consumers aspire to travel; so, once the restrictions are lifted, the market will eventually come back.

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