Airlines log record growth as IATA releases 2024 industry report

Dhaka: The world’s airlines posted record-breaking traffic figures in 2024, according to the World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on August 4.

Passenger demand rose sharply across the board, driven by strong recoveries in both economy and premium markets. Notably, premium travel grew by 11.8 percent, signaling a return of high-value passengers to the skies. Cargo performance, fleet size, and global route networks also expanded.

Key takeaways from the 2024 WATS report:

- 116.9 million international premium passengers flew in 2024 (up from 104.6 million in 2023).

- Premium demand rose fastest in Asia-Pacific (22.8 percent), followed by the Middle East and Europe.

- Global fleet utilization and load factors improved, indicating operational recovery and efficiency.

The annual WATS report, one of the industry’s most comprehensive statistical resources, offers insights into passenger behavior, airline economics, route performance, fleet composition, and more.