The International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed the latest data for the air travel sector in global markets for the month of November 2024, and the total demand for travel, measured by passenger revenue per kilometer, increased by 8.1% compared to November of last year, and the total capacity, which is measured by in available seats per square kilometer, by 5.7% year-on-year; While the load factor achieved a record level in November, reaching 83.4% (an increase of +1.9 percentage points compared to the same month in 2023).
Global travel demand increased by 11.6% compared to November 2023, capacity increased by 8.6% year-on-year, while load factor reached 83.4% (an increase of 2.3 percentage points compared to November 2023). Strong performance by carriers in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region contributed to this double-digit rise in demand.
Global demand for domestic travel increased by 3.1% compared to November 2023, capacity increased by 1.5% year-on-year, while load factor reached 83.5% (an increase of +1.2 percentage points compared to November 2023).
“Demand for air travel continued to grow in November, with an overall rise of 8.1%,” said Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Supply chain issues have also emerged this month, preventing airlines from obtaining the aircraft they need to meet growing demand, with capacity growth lagging behind demand by 2.4 percentage points, while load factors have reached record levels. Airlines are losing their opportunity to raise the level of their service to customers, modernize their products, and improve their environmental performance due to the failure to deliver aircraft on time. By 2025, the aircraft manufacturing sector must focus on finding a quick and lasting solution to supply chain problems.”
Air travel market in detail – November 2024.
Global air travel markets
All regions recorded growth in global air travel markets in November 2024, compared to the same month of the previous year. Europe achieved the highest load factors (85.0%), while the Asia Pacific region led growth with a 19.9% rise in demand year-on-year.
Airlines in Asia Pacific recorded a 19.9% year-on-year rise in travel demand. Capacity increased by 16.2% year-on-year, while load factor reached 84.9% (an increase of +2.6 percentage points compared to November 2023).
European airlines recorded a 9.4% year-on-year rise in travel demand. Capacity increased by 7.1% year-on-year, while load factor reached 85.0% (an increase of +1.8 percentage points compared to November 2023).
Airlines in the Middle East recorded an 8.7% year-on-year increase in travel demand. Capacity increased by 3.9% year-on-year, while load factor reached 81.0% (an increase of +3.6 percentage points compared to November 2023).
North American airlines reported a 3.1% year-over-year rise in travel demand. Capacity increased by 1.6% year-on-year, while load factor reached 81.0% (an increase of +1.1 percentage points compared to November 2023).
African airlines recorded an 11.4% year-on-year rise in travel demand. Capacity increased by 11.9% year-on-year, while load factor reached 84.4% (a decrease of -0.4 percentage points compared to November 2023).
African airlines recorded a 12.4% year-on-year rise in travel demand. Capacity increased by 6.0% year-on-year, while load factor reached 72.9% (an increase of +4.1 percentage points compared to November 2023).