The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published the latest data showing global passenger demand for air travel.
These figures demonstrate significant growth in November 2024, including an 8.1% year-on-year increase in total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK).
This growth outpaced the 5.7% rise in capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), resulting in a record load factor for November of 83.4% (+1.9 percentage points compared to November 2023).
International Demand
International RPK grew by 11.6% compared to November 2023. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 8.6%, with a load factor of 83.4% (+2.3 percentage points).
This growth was driven by strong performance in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Domestic Demand
Domestic RPK increased by 3.1% year-on-year. Capacity rose by 1.5%, and the load factor reached 83.5% (+1.2 percentage points).
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said:November was another month of strong growth in the demand for air travel with an overall expansion of 8.1%.
The month was also another reminder of the supply chain issues that are preventing airlines from getting the aircraft they need to meet growing demand. Capacity growth is lagging demand by 2.4 ppts and load factors are at record levels.
Airlines are missing out on opportunities to better serve customers, modernise their products and improve their environmental performance because aircraft are not being delivered on time. The 2025 New Year’s resolution for the aerospace manufacturing sector must be finding a fast and durable solution for their supply chain issues.
International Passenger Markets:
Asia-Pacific led growth with a 19.9% rise in RPK, supported by a 16.2% capacity increase. The load factor reached 84.9% (+2.6 percentage points).
Europe recorded an 8.3% increase in RPK and a 7.1% capacity rise, with a load factor of 85.0% (+1.8 percentage points).
Middle East carriers saw an 8.7% rise in RPK, with capacity up 3.9%. The load factor improved to 81.0% (+3.6 percentage points).
North America experienced a modest 3.1% RPK increase and a 1.6% rise in capacity. The load factor was 81.0% (+1.1 percentage points).
Latin America achieved an 11.4% RPK increase but saw a slight decline in load factor to 84.4% (-0.4 percentage points).
Africa recorded a 12.4% RPK rise, with capacity up 6.0%. The load factor climbed to 72.9% (+4.1 percentage points).
Domestic Passenger Markets:
India showed the highest growth among domestic markets, with a 13.3% RPK increase and a load factor of 89.5% (+3.2 percentage points).
China also demonstrated strong performance, with RPK up 10.5% and a load factor of 83.4% (+6.0 percentage points).
The US experienced a 2.7% decline in RPK, reflecting reduced activity among low-cost carriers. However, mainline carriers continued to grow.
