Global passenger demand data for April is up 8% compared with April 2024, according to the latest figures released by IATA. Measured in revenue passenger kilometres, this is an increase compared with February’s 2,6% and March’s 3,3%.
African airlines’ demand saw a double-digit increase in April, up 13,6% compared with April last year. It followed a similar increase compared with global demand, with African airlines’ demand having recorded 6,7% in February and 3,3% in March.
Total global capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 6,5% year-on-year, while African airlines increased by 8,9%.
The global industry’s load factor reached 83,6% (a 1,1 percentage point increase compared with April 2024). African airlines’ load factor rose to 76,3% (a 3,1 percentage point increase).
“April was a positive month for travel. Growth strengthened, especially for international demand, which saw record load factors for the month. The return of the transatlantic market to growth is particularly encouraging. But there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel,” said Willie Walsh, IATA DG.
