IATA has released the 2024 full-year and December 2024 passenger market performance, showing record high demand.
Total full-year traffic in 2024 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 10,4% compared with 2023. This was 3,8% above pre-pandemic (2019) levels.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 8,7% in 2024. The overall load factor reached 83,5%, a record for full-year traffic.
December 2024 was a strong finish to the year, with overall demand rising 8,6% year-on-year and capacity growing by 5,6%. The December load factor reached 84%, a record for the month.
African airlines’ annual traffic rose 13,2% in 2024 compared with the previous year. Full-year 2024 capacity was up 9,5%, and load factor climbed 2,5 percentage points to 74,5%, the lowest among regions but a record high for Africa.
December 2024 traffic for African airlines rose 12,4% over December 2023.
“2024 made it absolutely clear that people want to travel. With 10,4% demand growth, travel reached record numbers domestically and internationally. Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. On average, 83,5% of all seats on offer were filled – a new record high, partially attributable to the supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
“Looking to 2025, there is every indication that travel demand will continue to grow, albeit at a moderated pace of 8% that is more aligned with historical averages.”
