The International Air Transport Association has reported that global air passenger traffic in 2024 exceeded pre-pandemic figures, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry’s recovery. Total passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers , increased by 10.4% compared to 2023, surpassing 2019 levels by 3.8%. Capacity, assessed in available seat kilometers , grew by 8.7%, leading to a record-high load factor of 83.5%.
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, commented on this achievement, stating, “2024 made it absolutely clear that people want to travel.” This surge in demand reflects a robust resurgence in both international and domestic travel sectors.
International passenger traffic experienced a notable rise of 13.6% compared to the previous year, with capacity expanding by 12.8%. All regions contributed to this growth, with varying degrees of increase:
– European Airlines: Saw a 9.7% uptick in traffic, with capacity growing by 9.2%. The load factor improved slightly by 0.4 percentage points, reaching 84.1%.
– Middle Eastern Carriers: Reported a 9.4% increase in traffic, with an 8.4% rise in capacity. The load factor climbed by 0.7 percentage points to 80.8%.
– North American Airlines: Experienced a 6.8% growth in traffic, while capacity rose by 7.4%. However, the load factor decreased by 0.5 percentage points to 84.2%.
– Asia-Pacific Airlines: Led the growth with a 38.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity expanded by 37.4%, and the load factor rose to 85.6%, the highest among all regions.
– Latin American Airlines: Recorded a 19.7% increase in demand, with capacity climbing by 18.3%. The load factor improved to 84.3%.
– African Airlines: Noted a 10% rise in demand, although capacity increased by 12.3%, resulting in a load factor of 72.1%.
Domestic travel also demonstrated positive trends, with a 5.7% increase in demand and a 2.5% rise in capacity. This growth indicates a strong recovery in local markets, complementing the international sector’s performance.
December 2024 concluded the year on a high note, with an 8.6% increase in total passenger traffic compared to December 2023. International demand rose by 10.6%, while domestic demand grew by 5.5%. The load factor for December reached 84%, setting a new record for the month.
Despite these positive developments, the industry faces challenges. Supply chain issues, particularly delays in aircraft production and maintenance, have constrained capacity growth. Willie Walsh criticized aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus for their monopolistic practices, which have led to significant delivery delays. These delays hinder airlines’ ability to acquire newer, more efficient aircraft necessary to meet the rising demand and reduce operational costs.
Looking ahead, the global airline industry remains optimistic. IATA forecasts over a trillion dollars in revenue and record passenger numbers for 2025, anticipating a net profit increase from $31.5 billion in 2024 to $36.6 billion in 2025. This optimism is fueled by robust travel demand and expectations of decreased jet fuel prices, providing economic relief to carriers.
