Travel agency air bookings improved last year, Amadeus said, with the global distribution system (GDS) reporting a 92 per cent increase versus 2020.
The figure remained 64 per cent down on 2019’s travel agency air bookings however while passengers boarded also remained lower.
Amadeus reported passenger numbers up 23 per cent compared to 2020 figures but down 57 per cent versus 2019.
In full-year 2021 earnings, the Spain-based GDS reported a 23 per cent lift to revenue of €2.7 billion for the 12 months ending 31 December, but down 52 per cent on 2019's figure.
EBITDA for the company increased 176 per cent to €628 million compared to 2020 but was down 52 per cent on 2019.
In the fourth quarter, travel agency air bookings dipped 49 per cent compared to Q4 2019 but improved slightly on Q3 2021 bookings which were down 59 per cent.
Amadeus said bookings showed month-on-month improvement in the quarter up to December when the impact of Omicron kicked in. However, the GDS noted improvement in January 2022.
Luis Maroto, president and CEO of Amadeus, said: "Throughout 2021, and despite different waves of the Covid-19 pandemic impacting travel, we saw continued recovery in volume performance, with encouraging positive trends in both air bookings and passengers boarded, across many regions.
"Last year, we remained focused on strengthening our business and continued investing for the future. On the commercial front, we made important progress and signed landmark agreements which reinforce our competitive position.
"Looking at the year ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic about the recovery in travel. The continued trust from existing and new customers in our products and solutions gives us confidence for the future."
Air distribution revenue increased 66 per cent to €1.1 billion year-on-year but was down 64 per cent on 2019 revenue.
Revenue for the hospitality and payments unit declined 2 per cent to €539 million year-on-year and was down 33 per cent compared with 2019.