International Air Transport Association (IATA), a grouping of global airlines, says that the total passenger traffic in 2024 was 10.4 pc higher than the traffic in the preceding year.

In a press statement, IATA says that while the international full-year traffic in 2024 increased 13.6 pc compared to 2023, and capacity rose 12.8 pc, domestic traffic in the previous year rose 5.7 pc compared to 2023, while capacity expanded by 2.5 pc.

The statement adds that December 2024 was a strong finish to the year with overall demand rising 8.6 pc year-on-year, and capacity grew by 5.6 pc. International demand rose by 10.6 pc and domestic demand by 5.5 pc. The December load factor reached 84 pc, a record for the month.

Willie Walsh

“2024 made it absolutely clear that people want to travel. With 10.4 pc demand growth, travel reached record numbers domestically and internationally. Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. On average, 83.5 pc of all seats on offer were filled a new record high, partially attributable to the supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth. Aviation growth reverberates across societies and economies at all levels through jobs, market development, trade, innovation, exploration, and much more,” says Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

“Looking to 2025, there is every indication that demand for travel will continue to grow, albeit at a moderated pace of 8 pc that is more aligned with historical averages. The desire to partake in the freedom that flying makes possible brings some challenges into sharp focus. First, the tragic accident in Washington last night reminds us that safety needs our continuous efforts. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We will never cease our work to make aviation ever safer. Second is the airlines’ firm commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. While airlines invested record amounts in purchases of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in 2024, less than 0.5 pc of fuel needs were meet with SAF. SAF is in short supply and costs must come down. Governments could fortify their national energy security and unblock this problem by prioritising renewable fuel production from which SAF is derived. In addition to securing energy supplies and increasing the SAF supply, diverting a fraction of the subsidies given for fossil fuel extraction to support renewable energy capacity would also boost prosperity through economic expansion and job creation,” adds Walsh.

According to the statement, while Asia-Pacific airlines posted a 26 pc rise in full year international 2024 traffic compared to 2023, maintaining the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions, European carriers’ full year traffic climbed 9.7 pc in comparison to 2023. Capacity increased 9.2 pc, and load factor rose 0.4 percentage points to 84.1 pc.

IATA says that the Middle Eastern airlines saw a 9.4 pc traffic rise in 2024 compared to 2023 and North American carriers reported a 6.8 pc annual traffic rise in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, Latin American airlines posted a 14.4 pc traffic rise in 2024 over full year 2023 and African airlines’ annual traffic rose 13.2 pc in 2024 versus the prior year.

The statement adds that domestic full-year demand reached record highs for passenger numbers and load factors. The standout performer for 2024 Domestic RPK was once again China, which increased 12.3 pc over 2023. There was stable growth across other major domestic markets, says IATA.