The International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) stated that in 2024, global passenger demand reached record-breaking levels, even surpassing the demand that airlines saw in 2019. Record-breaking statistics In a review of passenger trends in 2024, IATA detailed that full-year traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), climbed 10.4% compared to 2023 and was 3.
8% higher than in 2019. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was 8.7% higher year-on-year (YoY), while the overall average load factor was 83.
5%, “a record for full-year traffic.” International traffic increased by 13.6% compared to 2023, while capacity rose by 12.
8%. Domestic traffic grew 5.7% YoY, with capacity expanding by 2.
5%. IATA noted that December was a strong end to 2024, with RPKs and ASKs rising by 8.6% and 5.
5% YoY. During the month, airlines experienced record load factors of 84%. International and domestic air travel growth continued through 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic figures in several markets.
US continues to dominate domestic markets IATA’s statistics showed that in 2024, the US domestic market continued expanding. The market, which holds a 14.4% market share of net RPKs, grew demand and capacity by 3.
7% and 3.3%, respectively. Average load factors improved by 0.
3% to 84.1%. Japan was the only major domestic market with average load factors below 80%.
The market, which accounts for 1% of net RPKs, averaged 78% load factors in 2024, with the market’s ASKs decr.
