IATA reported an 11% increase in global passenger demand in April 2024, underscoring optimism for the summer travel season.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published the following figures:
- Total demand, measured in passenger mileage revenue (RPK), increased by 11% compared to April 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), grew by 9.6% year-on-year. The April load factor was 82.4% (+1.0 pp compared to April 2023).
- However, international demand increased by 15.8% compared to April 2023. Capacity increased year-on-year by 14.8% and load factor improved to 82.2% (+0.7 pp in April 2023).
- Domestic demand increased 4% compared to April 2023. Capacity increased by 2.1% year-on-year and load factor was 82.6% (+1.5 pp compared to April 2023).
Passenger demand has been growing for 36 consecutive months. As we enter the peak of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer travel season, there is every reason to feel optimistic about a strong summer with airlines offering a wide range of travel options. ” said Willie Walsh, IATA director-general.
All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in April 2024 compared to April 2023. More specifically:
- Asia-Pacific airlines continue to lead the way, with demand growing by 32.1% per annum. Capacity grew by 29.3% year-on-year and load factor increased to 83.7% (+1.7 ppts compared to April 2023). Traffic flows from the Middle East and Africa to Asia are particularly strong.
- European carriers saw an annual increase in demand of 10.1%. Annual capacity increased 10.0% and the load factor was 83.3% (up just 0.1 p.p. compared to April 2023). International routes from Europe have exceeded pre-COVID levels to all regions except Africa.
- Middle Eastern airlines recorded an annual increase in demand of 14.2%. Annual capacity increased 9.9% and load factor increased +3 ppt to 79.3% compared to April 2023.
- Latin American airlines recorded an annual increase in demand of 14.5%. Capacity increased by 13.5% year-on-year. The load factor increased to 84.1% (+0.7 p.p. compared to April 2023), the highest among the regions.
- African airlines experienced a 15.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased by 10.4% year-on-year. The load factor increased to 73.0% (+3.2 p.p. compared to April 2023).
The IATA Passenger Survey also revealed 88% of passengers agree that “air travel makes my life better”. “This is an important motivation as our members gather for the IATA Annual General Assembly and World Aviation Summit in Dubai next week.
