Targa's GSE Data Confirms Global Pre-COVID Airport Levels were Exceeded During Christmas Travel Period
During the last Christmas break, the world’s airports resumed operations with greater activity than ever, even compared to pre-COVID levels in the same period. Italy nevertheless lagged behind, struggling to reach the peaks of Christmas 2019-20.
This is what emerges from the analysis of data on average daily hours of activity of ground support equipment (GSE) carried out by the Observatory of Targa Telematics, a leading global player in the field of technologies dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) and the development of digital solutions and platforms for connected mobility.
The IT company has more than 3.2 million connected assets, including service vehicles (such as baggage tractors, passenger buses, luggage loaders, towing vehicles, etc.), that operate within airport areas.
More specifically, when looking at the classic interval characterizing the Christmas break (Dec. 22 to Jan. 6) an increase of 23.12 percent was witnessed globally in 2023-24 compared to the same period in 2019/20 (the last before the pandemic).
Europe in general also performed well, with an increase of 5.88 percent, with the UK slightly behind, albeit still growing by 3.11 percent.
Italy lagged behind, reporting average daily airport service vehicle activity down by 5.62 percent compared to Christmas 2019-20 and still unable to achieve pre-Covid levels.
