Global Passenger Demand Up 7.1 Pct In September, An All-time High -- IATA

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose by 7.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in September 2024 versus a year ago, an all-time high, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement today, it said the total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), rose by 5.8 per cent y-o-y.

“The September load factor was 83.6 per cent y-o-y, up by 1.0 percentage points (ppt) compared to September 2023,” IATA said.

On a y-o-y basis, international demand grew by 9.2 per cent, capacity was up by 9.1 per cent, and the load factor rose by 0.1 ppt to 83.8 per cent.

“Domestic demand improved 3.7 per cent y-o-y, capacity was up 0.7 per cent and the load factor was 83.3 per cent (+2.4 ppt against September 2023),” said IATA.

Meanwhile, IATA director general Willie Walsh said the year’s peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high, which is “good news” not just for passengers but also for the global economy.

“Every flight creates more jobs and trade,” he said.

In a separate statement, IATA said global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs) strengthened by 9.4 per cent in September 2024 y-o-y, the 14th consecutive month of growth.

Besides, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs), added 6.4 per cent versus a year ago.

This continued to be largely related to the growth in international belly capacity, which rose 10.3 per cent, extending the trend of double-digit annual capacity growth to 41 consecutive months, the statement said.

For longer-term trends, the air cargo world will be following the US election outcome for indications of how US trade policy will evolve.

-- BERNAMA