Solid Growth in Passenger Demand Continues in October

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global passenger demand in October 2024, revealing continued solid growth in the industry. This positive trend is a testament to the resilience and recovery of the aviation sector post-pandemic.

Key Highlights

• Total Demand: Measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), total demand increased by 7.1% compared to October 2023.
• Total Capacity: Measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), total capacity rose by 6.1% year-on-year.
• Load Factor: The load factor, which represents the percentage of available seating capacity filled with passengers, reached 83.9%, an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to October 2023.

International and Domestic Demand

• International Demand: Rose by 9.5% compared to October 2023, with capacity up by 8.6% year-on-year and the load factor reaching 83.5%.
• Domestic Demand: Increased by 3.5% compared to October 2023, with capacity up by 2.0% year-on-year and the load factor at 84.5%.

IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh highlighted the significance of these improvements, noting the industry’s efficiency in flying passengers more effectively. “Continued strong and stable demand is good news, but just as important is the steady improvement in load factors. It shows what a great job the industry is doing in flying people more efficiently,” said Walsh. He emphasized the importance of keeping planes full to maximize economic and social benefits while minimizing emissions.

Regional Breakdown

• Asia-Pacific: Achieved a 17.5% year-on-year increase in demand, with a load factor of 82.9%.
• Europe: Saw an 8.7% increase in demand, with a load factor of 85.7%.
• Middle East: Experienced a 2.2% increase in demand, with a load factor of 80.2%.
• North America: Recorded a 3.2% increase in demand, with a load factor of 84.2%.
• Latin America: Noted a 10.9% increase in demand, with a load factor of 85.3%.
• Africa: Reported a 10.4% increase in demand, with a load factor of 73.2%.

Domestic Market Performance

• China: Demonstrated strong domestic demand with a 9.7% increase, driven by the increased use of wide-body aircraft.
• Australia: Showed a 2.9% increase in domestic demand, with a load factor of 86.2%.
• Brazil: Experienced a 9.5% increase in domestic demand, with a load factor of 83.7%.
• India: Recorded a 6.1% increase in domestic demand, with a load factor of 81.7%.
• Japan: Reported a 3.3% increase in domestic demand, with a load factor of 84.0%.
• US: Showed a slight decline in domestic demand by 1.2%, with a load factor of 82.5%.

The data underscores the robust recovery of the global aviation industry, reflecting growing passenger confidence and demand for air travel. As the industry continues to adapt and innovate, maintaining high load factors and optimising capacity will be crucial for sustaining growth and minimising environmental impact.