Global Air Passenger Demand Up By 11% In April 2024

As Per Latest IATA Report

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled its latest data, revealing a significant 11% surge in global passenger demand for April 2024 compared to April 2023.

This surge in demand indicates the travel industry’s ongoing recovery from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and signals a potential for future growth.

According to the report, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), witnessed a robust uptick of 11.0% year-on-year, accompanied by a 9.6% increase in total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK). The month (April 2024) also saw a notable improvement in load factor, reaching 82.4%, representing a 1.0-percentage-point increase compared to April 2023.

International demand surged by 15.8% compared to April 2023, matched by a 14.8% rise in capacity. This resulted in a commendable load factor of 82.2%, reflecting a 0.7-percentage-point improvement from the previous year.

Meanwhile, domestic demand increased by 4.0% compared to April 2023, with capacity up by 2.1% year-on-year. Notably, the domestic load factor reached 82.6%, marking a 1.5-percentage-point increase from April 2023.

Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, expressed optimism about the upcoming peak northern summer travel season, citing it as a significant factor in the industry’s recovery.

He highlighted the recent passenger satisfaction survey conducted by IATA, revealing that 97% of passengers expressed satisfaction with their last flight.

Walsh also stressed the pivotal role of air travel in enhancing lives, with 88% of respondents agreeing that “air travel makes my life better”.

He highlighted the importance of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 to sustain the benefits of air travel for future generations.

The new IATA report for April 2024 comprehensively analyses the air passenger market across various regions. Notably, Asia-Pacific airlines led the way with a remarkable 32.1% year-on-year increase in demand, while Latin American carriers recorded the highest load factor among areas at 84.1%.

Overall, the data underscores the resilience of the global air travel industry and its continued path to recovery amid evolving travel trends and consumer preferences.

Featured image: A passenger walks before a digital billboard at Shanghai International Airport on May 1, 2024. Credit: Arnold Pinto