The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in its September 2024 statistics has said that total global Revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up BY 7.1 per cent compared to the same period in September 2023, making it an all-time high for the month.
It also said that total capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), was up 5.8 per cent year-on-year, while the September load factor was 83.6 per cent, compared to September 2023.
IATA in its statement also said that international demand rose 9.2 per cent compared to September 2023, while capacity was up 9.1 per cent year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.8 per cent when compared to the same period in 2023.
It also said that domestic demand rose 3.7 per cent compared to September 2023, while capacity was up 0.7 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 83.3 per cent.
- Advertisement -
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General in his comment, said that the year’s peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high.
Walsh described this as news not just for passengers, but also for the global economy, noting that every flight creates more jobs and trade.
He added: “But the air travel success story is bringing challenges. We will soon face a capacity crunch in some regions which threatens to curtail these economic and social benefits. Government’s will face a choice: lose out to more dynamic nations who value global connectivity, or forge a consensus for sustainable growth.
“Airlines are making significant investments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That needs to be accompanied by an equally active political vision, backed-up by actions, to ensure we have efficient and sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity to meet the needs of citizens and businesses to travel.”
Besides, IATA expressed that all regions showed growth for international passenger markets in September 2024, compared to September 2023.
On load factor, Europe had the highest, and Asia and African carriers also improved, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls.
African airlines saw an 11.9 per cent year-on-year increase in demand; its capacity was up 6.6 per cent year-on-year, while the load factor rose to 76 per cent compared to September 2023.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 18.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.7 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6 per cent up compared to the same period in September 2023.
Besides, European carriers saw a 7.6 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.4 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was up 85.9 per cent.
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 4.4 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.6 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 81.4 per cent decline when compared to the same period in September 2023.
North American carriers saw a 0.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 1.9 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor declined by 84.4 per cent when compared to the same period in September 2023.
Latin American airlines saw a 12.4 per cent year-on-year increase in demand, capacity climbed 13.9 per cent year-on-year and load factor reduced by 84.3 per cent compared to September 2023.
