Global passenger demand increased by 7.1pc in September 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching an all-time high for the month, with total capacity rising by 5.8pc and a load factor of 83.6pc.
International demand showed a significant increase of 9.2pc, while domestic demand rose by 3.7pc, indicating strong interest in both travel types; the respective load factors were 83.8pc and 83.3pc.
The Asia-Pacific region experienced the highest year-on-year demand growth at 12.4pc, followed by Latin America at 12.4pc and Africa at 12.2pc, while North America saw the lowest growth at 1.1pc.
- Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 18.5pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.7pc year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6pc (+0.5ppt compared to September 2023).
- European carriers saw a 7.6pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.4pc year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.9pc (+0.2ppt compared to September 2023).
- Middle Eastern carriers saw a 4.4pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.6pc year-on-year and the load factor was 81.4pc (-0.1ppt compared to September 2023).
- North American carriers saw a 0.5pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 1.9pc year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.4pc (-1.1 ppt compared to September 2023).
- Latin American airlines saw a 12.4pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 13.9pc year-on-year. The load factor was 84.3pc (-1.1ppt compared to September 2023).
- African airlines saw an 11.9pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 6.6pc year-on-year. The load factor rose to 76.0pc (+3.6ppt compared to September 2023).
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, shared: “The year’s peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high. This is good news not just for passengers but also for the global economy. Every flight creates more jobs and trade. But the air travel success story is bringing challenges. We will soon face a capacity crunch in some regions which threatens to curtail these economic and social benefits. Government’s will face a choice: lose out to more dynamic nations who value global connectivity, or forge a consensus for sustainable growth. Airlines are making significant investments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That needs to be accompanied by an equally active political vision, backed-up by actions, to ensure we have efficient and sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity to meet the needs of citizens and businesses to travel.”
