Demand for airline seats across the globe rose in May by 10,7% and total capacity was up 8,5% year-on-year. The May load factor was 83,4% (a 1,7 percentage point increase over May 2023), a record high for the month.
African airlines saw a 14,1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity on the continent was up 8,2% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 72,3% (up 3,7 percentage points). This was the fastest increase in load factor among all regions, although Africa still has the lowest load factor overall.
“Strong demand for travel continues, with airlines posting a 10,7% year-on-year increase in travel for May. Airlines filled 83,4% of their seats, a record for the month. With May ticket sales for early peak-season travel up nearly 6%, the growth trend shows no signs of abating. Airlines are doing everything they can to ensure smooth journeys for all travellers over the peak northern summer period,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
“However, our expectations of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are already being tested. With 5,2 million minutes of air traffic control delays racked up in Europe even before the peak season begins, it is clear that Europe’s ANSPs have unresolved challenges. And the 32 000 flight delays over the Memorial Day weekend in May show that challenges persist in the US too. Airlines are accountable to their customers; ANSPs must be as well. ANSP performance matters to their airline customers and millions of travellers. We all need them to do their job efficiently,” Walsh concluded.
