Global passenger demand reaches all-time high in September

Geneva : International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for September 2024 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 7.1 per cent, compared to September 2023, an all-time high for September. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.8 per cent year-on-year. The Septem-ber load factor was 83.6 per cent (+1.0ppt compared to September 2023).

International demand rose 9.2 per cent, compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 9.1 per cent year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.8 per cent (+0.1ppt compared to September 2023).

Domestic demand rose 3.7 per cent, compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 0.7 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 83.3 per cent (+2.4ppt compared to September 2023).

On the development, Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, said, "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."

Int'l pax markets

All regions showed growth for international passenger markets in September 2024 compared to September 2023. Load factor was a mixed bag: Europe had the highest load factors, and Asia and African carriers also improved, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 18.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.7 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6 per cent (+0.5ppt compared to September 2023).

Domestic pax markets

All key markets, showed stable growth in domestic demand and all except Japan saw all-time highs for September domestic traffic.

"However, 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," informed Walsh.

"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," concluded the Director General of IATA.