GLOBAL PASSENGER DEMAND UP 7.1 PCT IN OCTOBER 2024 - IATA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, was up 7.1 per cent in October 2024 compared to the same month last year, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, was up 6.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), while the October load factor was 83.9 per cent, 0.8 percentage points (ppt) higher compared to October 2023, it said.

“International demand rose 9.5 per cent compared to October 2023. Capacity was up 8.6 per cent y-o-y, and the load factor rose to 83.5 per cent (0.6 ppt higher compared to October 2023).

“Domestic demand rose 3.5 per cent compared to October 2023. Capacity was up 2.0 per cent y-o-y, and the load factor was 84.5 per cent (1.2 ppt higher compared to October 2023),” IATA said in a statement. 

IATA director-general Willie Walsh said continued strong and stable demand is good news, but the steady improvement in load factors is just as important.

“It shows what a great job the industry is doing in flying people more efficiently,” he said. 

Meanwhile, IATA said all regions showed growth for international passenger markets in October 2024 compared to October 2023.

It said Europe had the highest load factors, and Africa showed a sharp increase, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls.

“Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 17.5 per cent y-o-y increase in demand, (with) capacity increased 17.2 per cent y-o-y, and the load factor was 82.9 per cent (0.3 ppt higher compared to October 2023),” it added.

-- BERNAMA