Total passenger demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) was up 9.1 percent year-on-year in June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 8.5 percent year-on-year.
Internationally, demand rose 12.3 percent compared to June 2023, while capacity was up 12.7 percent year-on-year. The growth in domestic demand was lower in comparison at 4.3 percent compared to June 2023. Domestic capacity was up 2.1 percent year-on-year.
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“Demand grew across all regions as the peak northern summer travel season began in June. And with overall capacity growth lagging demand we saw a very strong average load factor of 85 percent achieved in both domestic and international operations. Operating with such high load factors is both good and challenging. It makes it even more important for all the stakeholders to operate with equal levels of efficiency to minimize delays and get travelers to their destinations on schedule,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“As the Olympic Games unfold in Paris there is pride across the aviation industry for its continuing role in supporting the Olympic story by bringing many of the athletes, fans, and officials together. It is a great reminder of how aviation transforms our very big world into a global community. We wish France every success as the host of the games and cheer all the athletes who will demonstrate the best of human endeavor over the next weeks,” Walsh added.
Asia-Pacific airlines lead growth
Asia-Pacific airlines’ growth remained strong, with a 22.6 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 22.9 percent year-on-year, making the Africa-Asia route the fastest expanding regional pair, growing 38.1 percent.
Meanwhile, European carriers saw a 9.1 percent year-on-year increase in demand, while capacity increased 9.8 percent.
Middle Eastern airlines saw demand increase 9.6 percent year-on-year, while capacity rose 9.4 percent.
North American carriers saw a 6.6 percent year-on-year increase in demand with capacity increasing 8.6 percent.
For Latin American airlines, demand rose 15.3 percent, while capacity climbed 15.6 percent.
African airlines, meanwhile, saw a 16.9 percent year-on-year increase in demand, with capacity up 5.8 percent.
Cargo demand surges
The IATA also released figures for growth in global cargo demand.
According to figures, global air cargo markets saw a 14.1 percent growth in total demand compared to the year-ago period, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs).
This contributed to an exceptional H1 2024 performance for air cargo, with volumes exceeding 2023, 2022, and even the record-breaking 2021 levels.
The increase in demand marks the seventh consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth.
“Air cargo demand surged in June. Strong growth across all regions and major trade lanes combined for a record-breaking first-half performance in terms of CTKs. Maritime shipping constraints and a booming e-commerce sector are among the strongest growth drivers. Meanwhile, the sector has remained largely impervious to ongoing political and economic challenges, and the US customs crackdown on e-commerce deliveries from China. Air cargo looks to be on solid ground to continue its strong performance into the second half of 2024,” said Walsh.
According to the report, Middle Eastern carriers saw 13.8 percent year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in June, while Asia-Pacific airlines saw 17.0 percent demand growth, the strongest among all regions.
North American carriers’ air cargo demand growth rose 9.5 percent, the weakest among all regions, compared to the second-best 16.1 percent logged by European carriers.
Meanwhile, Latin American carriers saw a 13.1 percent increase, with African airlines recording an 11.8 percent growth in demand.
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