IATA: Global Passenger Demand Increased by 11% in April

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a significant increase in global passenger demand, which rose by 11% in April 2024 compared to the same period last year. This marks the 36th consecutive month of growth in passenger demand, highlighting the ongoing recovery and expansion of the aviation sector post-pandemic. Total demand, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), saw an 11% year-on-year increase in April. Capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), rose by 9.6% over the same period, leading to an improved load factor of 82.4%, a 1.0 percentage point increase from April 2023.

International passenger demand demonstrated robust growth, rising by 15.8% compared to April 2023. The capacity for international flights increased by 14.8%, with the load factor improving slightly to 82.2%, up by 0.7 percentage points. This growth underscores the strong recovery of international travel, as borders continue to open and travel restrictions ease globally. Domestically, passenger demand increased by 4% year-on-year in April, with capacity up by 2.1%. The domestic load factor improved to 82.6%, a 1.5 percentage point increase from April 2023. Despite the slower growth rate in domestic travel, the sector remains resilient and continues to show positive trends.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, expressed optimism about the upcoming summer travel season, particularly in the northern hemisphere. He highlighted that 97% of passengers surveyed were satisfied with their last flight, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards across the travel value chain. Walsh also noted that 88% of survey respondents believe air travel enhances their quality of life, underscoring the essential role of air connectivity in modern life. Walsh further emphasized the importance of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligning with the growing environmental consciousness within the industry. This goal will be a central topic at the upcoming IATA Annual General Assembly and the World Air Transport Summit in Dubai.

In April 2024, all regions exhibited strong growth in international passenger markets compared to the previous year, with load factors reaching two-year highs and capacity closely matching demand. Asia-Pacific Airlines led the way with a 32.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity grew by 29.3%, and the load factor rose to 83.7%, up by 1.7 percentage points. This region benefits significantly from strong traffic flows from the Middle East and Africa. European Airlines saw a 10.1% increase in demand year-on-year, with capacity up by 10.0%. The load factor marginally increased to 83.3%. European routes have exceeded pre-COVID levels, except for those to Africa.

Middle Eastern Airlines experienced a 14.2% increase in demand, with capacity rising by 9.9%. The load factor improved by 3.0 percentage points to 79.3%. North American Carriers reported a 6.5% year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity up by 10.3%. However, the load factor decreased by 2.9 percentage points to 81.0%. Latin American Airlines had a 14.5% increase in demand, with capacity growing by 13.5%. The load factor rose to 84.1%, the highest among the regions, up by 0.7 percentage points. African Airlines saw a 15.5% increase in demand, with capacity up by 10.4%. The load factor improved by 3.2 percentage points to 73.0%.

Domestic demand showed a more moderate growth pace in April. China's growth rate slowed to 4.2%, reflecting the end of the holiday surge. Japan's domestic market was nearly flat due to the end of the fiscal year and the start of the spring school holidays, though the overall trend for Japan's RPK remains positive. The consistent growth in global passenger demand reflects a robust recovery and the continued importance of air travel in connecting people and economies worldwide. As the sector looks forward to a strong summer travel season, the focus remains on maintaining high service standards and achieving environmental sustainability goals.

Overall, the aviation industry's steady growth and increasing passenger demand signify a thriving sector poised for continued expansion. With the summer travel season approaching, airlines and related industries must prioritize customer satisfaction and environmental responsibilities to ensure sustained growth and positive traveler experiences.