The growth in global civil aviation market has continued to remain strong in October, mainly driven by a robust demand for international travel that rose 9.5 pc in the month, compared to demand in October 2023, says International Air Transport Association (IATA), a global federation of airlines.

In a press statement, IATA says that the overall demand, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPK), was up 7.1 pc compared to October 2023. Total capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), was up 6.1 pc year-on-year. The October load factor was 83.9 pc, a marginal rise compared to October 2023. IATA says that in global international capacity was up 8.6 pc year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.5 pc. On the other hand, domestic demand rose more slowly at 3.5 pc, while capacity was up 2 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 84.5 pc.

“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.  Average seat factors have risen from around 67 pc in the 1990’s to over 83 pc today. Politicians thinking of trying to tax passengers off planes to reduce emissions would do well to note this. Even if fewer people fly because taxes make it too expensive, it doesn’t automatically mean reduced emissions because the planes will still fly, just with fewer passengers. That would reverse decades hard won progress. We need to see the planes full to generate the economic and social benefits of travel with the most minimal emissions possible,” says Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

According to the report, all regions showed growth for international passenger markets in October 2024 compared to October 2023. Europe had the highest load factors, and Africa showed a sharp increase, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls. Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 17.5 pc year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity increasing by 17.2 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 82.9 pc.

European carriers had an 8.7 pc year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity rising 7.3 pc year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.7 pc. Middle Eastern carriers saw a 2.2 pc increase in demand, capacity increased 2.5 pc and the load factor was 80.2 pc.

According to IATA, North American carriers saw a 3.2 pc year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity increasing 2.9 pc year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.2 pc. Latin American airlines saw a 10.9 pc increase in demand, capacity climbed 11.6 pc and the load factor was 85.3 pc.

IATA says that African airlines saw a 10.4 pc increase in demand, capacity was up 5.3 pc and the load factor rose to 73.2 pc. The US showed a surprise slight decline, while all other key domestic markets showed stable growth.  Fast-growing Chinese domestic demand is being met with increased use of wide-body aircraft.