Total demand for air travel around the world, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 8 pc in July 2024, compared to July 2023, while total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 7.4 pc year-on-year.

These are some of the key findings of the data for global air travel released by International Air Transport Association (IATA), the association of airlines around the world.

According to a press statement by IATA, the load factor in July was 86 pc, reflecting a rise of 0.5 percentage points compared to July 2023. There was no significant negative demand impact from the CrowdStrike IT outage on July 19, it adds.

IATA says that international demand rose 10.1 pc compared to July 2023. Capacity was up 10.5 pc year-on-year and the load factor fell to 85.9 pc, a decline of 0.3 percentage points compared to July 2023.

It adds that domestic demand rose 4.8 pc compared to July 2023. Capacity was up 2.8 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 86.1 pc, a growth of 1.7 percentage points compared to July 2023. 

Willie Walsh

“July was another positive month. In fact, passenger demand hit an all-time high for the industry and in all regions except Africa, despite significant disruption caused by the CrowdStrike IT outage,” says Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA. 

“The winding down of the peak northern summer season is a reminder of how much people depend on flying. As the mix of travellers shift from leisure to business, aviation’s many roles are evident—reuniting families, enabling exploration, and powering commerce. People need and want to fly. And they are doing that in great numbers. Load factors are at the practicable maximum. But persistent supply chain bottlenecks have made deploying the capacity to meet the need to travel more challenging. As much of the world returns from vacation, there is an urgent call for manufacturers and suppliers to resolve their supply chain issues so that air travel remains accessible and affordable to all those who rely on it,” adds Walsh.

IATA says that all regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in July 2024 compared to July 2023, with signs that many markets are returning to long-term growth trends after the post-pandemic bounce back. 

Growth in Asia-Pacific airlines remained strong, with a 19.1 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 20.3 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 83.8 pc, a decline of 0.8 percentage points compared to July 2023. Most Asia routes have yet to exceed 2019 levels, with the exception of the Asia-Middle East route, it adds.

European carriers saw an 8.3 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 8.1 pc year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.5 pc In terms of major international routes, the Europe-Asia route expanded fastest, reflecting this is still to surpass 2019 levels.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 5.8 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 5.5 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 84.1 pc, while North American carriers saw a 5.3 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.3 pc year-on-year, and the load factor was 89.4 pc, says IATA, adding that it was the highest among regions. 

Airlines in Latin American saw a 13.4 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 15.7 pc year-on-year and the load factor was 87.5 pc, it adds. While hurricane Beryl had a strong localized impact in parts of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and southern United States, this did not significantly dampen demand region-wide.

IATA adds that African airlines saw a 7.4 pc year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 6.7 pc year-on-year. The load factor rose to 74.3 pc.

Domestic demand increased in July, with solid growth resulting in all key markets, bar India, reaching all-time highs.  Brazil once again expanded fastest, while Japan and Australia rebounded from the previous month’s negative growth, says IATA.