IATA reports September 2024 global passenger demand up 7.1% from last year, hitting record highs. Increased capacity and load factors signal robust growth but hint at potential capacity crunch challenges ahead.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for September 2024 global passenger demand with the following highlights:

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 7.1% compared to September 2023, an all-time high for September. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.8% year-on-year. The September load factor was 83.6% (+1.0ppt compared to September 2023).

International demand rose 9.2% compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 9.1% year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.8% (+0.1ppt compared to September 2023).

Domestic demand rose 3.7% compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 0.7% year-on-year and the load factor was 83.3% (+2.4ppt compared to September 2023).

“The year’s peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high. This is good news not just for passengers but also for the global economy. Every flight creates more jobs and trade. But the air travel success story is bringing challenges. We will soon face a capacity crunch in some regions which threatens to curtail these economic and social benefits. Government’s will face a choice: lose out to more dynamic nations who value global connectivity, or forge a consensus for sustainable growth. Airlines are making significant investments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That needs to be accompanied by an equally active political vision, backed-up by actions, to ensure we have efficient and sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity to meet the needs of citizens and businesses to travel,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.