Iata has released data for January's global passenger demand, indicating a strong start for the year.
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 16,6%; total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 14,1%; and the load factor was 79,9% (+1,7 percentage points).
International demand rose 20,8%; capacity was up 20,9% and the load factor remained at 79,7%.
Domestic demand rose 10,4%; capacity was up 4,6% and the load factor was 80,2% (+4,2 percentage points).
African airlines saw an 18,5% traffic increase in January versus a year ago. January capacity was up 19,2% causing load factor to decline 0,4 percentage points to 73,3%, the lowest among the regions.
“2024 is off to a strong start despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties. As governments look to build prosperity in their economies in the busiest election year ever, it is critical that they see aviation as a catalyst for growth. Increased taxes and onerous regulation are a counterweight to prosperity.
“We will be looking to governments for policies that help aviation to reduce costs, improve efficiency and make progress towards nett zero CO₂ emissions by 2050,” said Willie Walsh, Iata Director General.
