IATA says that April saw international demand surging 15.8 pc compared to April 2023
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says that April 2024 global passenger demand rose by 11 pc in terms of revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), compared to April 2023 and that Asia Pacific region continued to lead the way comprehensively.
According to a press statement by IATA, total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 9.6 pc year-on-year. The April load factor was 82.4 pc, which is up 1 ppt compared to April 2023.
IATA says that April saw international demand surging 15.8 pc compared to April 2023 while capacity was up 14.8 pc year-on-year and the load factor improved to 82.2 pc, up 0.7 ppt.
The statement adds that domestic demand rose 4 pc compared to April 2023 and capacity was up 2.1 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6 pc, an uptick of 1.5ppt compared to April 2023.
Willie Walsh
“Passenger demand has been growing for 36 consecutive months. As we enter the peak northern summer travel season, there is every reason to feel optimistic for a strong summer with airlines offering a wide range of travel options. 97 pc of passengers asked in our recent survey said they were satisfied with their last flight. Every part of the travel value chain needs to be focused on maintaining that,” says Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
The IATA Passenger Survey also revealed 88 pc agreement that ‘air travel makes my life better’.
“That is an important motivation as our members gather for the IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Dubai next week. This strong endorsement of the power of air connectivity to transform lives and boost economies brings with it a challenge that will also be on the minds of all attending. It is critically important that we achieve NetZero carbon emissions by 2050 so that people can continue to rely on all the benefits of air travel,” says Walsh.
IATA says that all regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in April 2024 compared to April 2023. The load factor increased to a two-year high and capacity increases were well-matched to demand.
The statement adds that Asia-Pacific airlines continue to lead the way, with a 32.1 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 29.3 pc year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.7 pc, up 1.7ppt. Traffic flows from the Middle East and Africa to Asia are notably strong.
European carriers saw a 10.1 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 10 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 83.3 pc, up just 0.1 ppt y-o-y. International routes from Europe have surpassed pre-Covid levels to all regions except Africa.
IATA says that Middle Eastern airlines saw a 14.2 pc yoy increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.9 pc yoy and the load factor increased by 3 ppt to 79.3 pc compared to April 2023.
North American carriers saw a 6.5 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 10.3 pc year-on-year, and the load factor fell to 81 pc, down 2.9 ppt.
The statement adds that Latin American airlines saw a 14.5 pc yoy increase in demand while capacity climbed 13.5 pc year-on-year. The load factor rose to 84.1 pc to 0.7ppt, the highest among the regions.
African airlines saw an 15.5 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 10.4 pc year-on-year. The load factor rose to 73 pc, up 3.2 ppt.
The statement adds that domestic demand increased at a slower pace in April. China’s growth rate moderated to 4.2 pc reflecting the end of the holiday surge. Japan’s almost flat performance is explained by the end of the fiscal year and the start of the school spring holiday. Overall, Japan’s RPK trend remains positive.
