Morocco Emerges as Top Destination as French Air Travel Rebounds

"Regarding order intake in the first half of 2022, a clear behavior is observed: much more short-term sales. The French may have deferred their purchases, scalded by the many cancellations and changes in flight plans," explains Fabrice Dariot, president of the flight-only website Bourse des vols, to La Quotidienne.

This year, an average departure of less than two months (53 days) was observed, "which is new for summer sales usually anticipated," he adds, specifying that this year’s sales have barely exceeded the 2019 volume, the reference year. In the first half of 2022, the ten best-selling destinations are France, the United States, Morocco, Mexico, Algeria, Tunisia, Corsica and Spain.

Morocco (with activity higher than in 2019), Spain, Portugal, Greece and the United States, and Thailand to a lesser extent, are the preferred destinations of the French this summer, after Mexico and Dubai, and far ahead of the French West Indies, Turkey, and Mauritius. A strong catch-up is expected in the second half of the year, notes Fabrice Dariot.

In May, average fares increased by 12% compared to the same month in 2021. A trend that should continue and reach 21% by the end of the year and peak in the first quarter of 2023. This increase is explained by the surge in fuel prices and the desertion of business classes by many airlines.