Passenger demand up 9.1% in June, reports IATA

Passenger demand was up 9.1 per cent in June 2024 compared to the same month last year, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Total capacity also increased, up 8.5 per cent year-on-year, and the June load factor was 85 per cent.

The increase was carried by international flights, with demand up 12.3 per cent and capacity rising 12.7 per cent compared to June 2023.

 For domestic flights, demand rose 4.3 per cent and capacity 2.1 per cent year-on-year.

“Demand grew across all regions as the peak northern summer travel season began in June,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general. “And with overall capacity growth lagging demand we saw a very strong average load factor of 85 per cent achieved in both domestic and international operations. Operating with such high load factors is both good and challenging. It makes it even more important for all the stakeholders to operate with equal levels of efficiency to minimize delays and get travellers to their destinations on schedule.”

“As the Olympic Games unfold in Paris there is pride across the aviation industry for its continuing role in supporting the Olympic story by bringing many of the athletes, fans and officials together,” he continued. “It is a great reminder of how aviation transforms our very big world into a global community. We wish France every success as the host of the games and cheer all the athletes who will demonstrate the best of human endeavor over the next weeks.”

Air Passenger Market in Detail

1) % of industry RPKs in 2023 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level

Regional breakdown — International passenger markets

All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in June 2024 compared to June 2023.

Asia-Pacific airlines’ growth remained strong, with a 22.6 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 22.9 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 83 per cent. The Africa-Asia route was the fastest expanding regional pair, growing 38.1 per cent.

European carriers saw a 9.1 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.8 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.4 per cent.

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 9.6 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.4 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 79.7 per cent.

North American carriers saw a 6.6 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 8.6 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 88.7 per cent, the highest among regions.

Latin American airlines saw a 15.3 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 15.6 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 85.1 per cent.

African airlines saw a 16.9 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.8 per cent year-on-year. The load factor rose to 77 per cent. This was the largest improvement in load factor among all regions.

Domestic passenger markets

Domestic demand increased in June, with solid growth in most key markets, bar Japan and Australia. Brazil posted the largest gain with 7.6 per cent year-on-year growth.

Year-on-year June domestic ticket sales for July and August travel dipped -0.9 per cent, pointing to a gradual moderation in demand back to pre-pandemic growth rates.

1) % of industry RPKs in 2023 2) year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level

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