The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for June 2024, highlighting a significant increase in global passenger demand. African airlines emerged as the standout performers, showcasing the highest improvement in load factor among all regions.
African airlines reported a remarkable 16.9% year-on-year increase in demand for June 2024. Capacity in the region grew by 5.8% compared to the previous year, and the load factor saw the largest improvement, rising to 77.0%, a substantial increase of 7.4 percentage points from June 2023.
Globally, total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 9.1% compared to June 2023. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased by 8.5% year-on-year. The overall load factor for June 2024 stood at 85.0%, a slight increase of 0.5 percentage points from the same month last year.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh remarked, “Demand grew across all regions as the peak Northern summer travel season began in June. With overall capacity growth lagging behind demand, we observed a strong average load factor of 85% in both domestic and international operations. Operating with such high load factors is both beneficial and challenging. It underscores the need for all stakeholders to maintain high efficiency levels to minimize delays and ensure timely travel.”
In the international passenger markets, all regions demonstrated strong growth compared to June 2023:
- Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 22.6% increase in demand, with capacity up 22.9% and a load factor of 83.0%. The Africa-Asia route notably grew by 38.1%, making it the fastest expanding regional pair.
- European carriers saw a 9.1% rise in demand. Capacity increased by 9.8%, and the load factor was 87.4%, the highest among regions despite a slight decrease of 0.6 percentage points.
- Middle Eastern airlines experienced a 9.6% increase in demand, with a 9.4% rise in capacity. The load factor was 79.7%, up by 0.1 percentage points.
- North American carriers reported a 6.6% increase in demand. Capacity grew by 8.6%, and the load factor was 88.7%, the highest among all regions, though it decreased by 1.6 percentage points.
- Latin American airlines achieved a 15.3% increase in demand, with capacity climbing by 15.6%. The load factor was 85.1%, a slight decrease of 0.2 percentage points.
Willie Walsh also highlighted the role of aviation in global events, stating, “As the Olympic Games unfold in Paris, there is pride across the aviation industry for its ongoing role in supporting the Olympic story by bringing athletes, fans, and officials together. This is a great reminder of how aviation transforms our large world into a global community. We wish France every success as the host of the games and cheer all the athletes demonstrating the best of human endeavor.”
The IATA’s June 2024 data underscores the robust recovery and growth of the aviation industry, with African airlines making significant strides in improving their load factors amidst a global surge in passenger demand.
