Global air passenger demand rose 13.8% in March 2024 compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 12.3% year-on-year, with the March load factor reaching 82.0%, a 1.0 percentage point increase compared to March 2023.
International demand rose 18.9% compared to March 2023, with capacity up 18.8% year-on-year and the load factor improving slightly to 81.6%. Domestic demand rose 6.6%, with capacity up 3.4% year-on-year and the load factor at 82.6%, a 2.5 percentage point increase compared to March 2023.
“Demand for travel is strong. And there is every indication that this should continue into the peak Northern Summer travel season. It is critical that we have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“That means making urgent progress to resolve supply chain issues and for airports and air traffic management to be fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency. While airlines are prepared for customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, they are fed-up of bearing the cost when delays and cancellations are the result of poor preparation in other parts of the value chain.”
All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in March 2024 compared to March 2023, with Asia-Pacific airlines leading the way with a 38.5% year-on-year increase in demand. European carriers saw an 11.6% increase, while North American carriers experienced a 14.5% rise.
Domestic demand increased at a slower pace in March, moderating to typical pre-pandemic growth rates. China (+17.6% compared to March 2023) continued to be the leading market, while other markets showed stable growth with the exception of Australia, which may reflect the wider economic slowdown in Q1 in the country.
