The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for October 2024 global passenger demand, showing how load factor for the month was at 83.9 percent.

October saw total demand in terms of revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) up by 7.1 percent compared to where it was at the same time in 2023/

Likewise, total capacity measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs) was up by 6.1 percent year-on-year.

International passenger demand was up by 9.5 percent in October, while capacity was up 8.6 percent year-on-year and load factor at 83.5 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

Domestic demand, on the other hand, was up by 3.5 percent, with capacity up 2 percent and load factor at 84.5 percent.

How international passenger markets fared in October 2024

All regions showed growth for international passenger markets in October 2024 compared to October 2023. 

Europe had the highest load factors, and Africa showed a sharp increase, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 17.5 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.2 percent year-on-year and the load factor was 82.9 percent.

European carriers had an 8.7 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.3 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.7 percent.

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 2.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.5 percent year-on-year and the load factor was 80.2 percent.

North American carriers saw a 3.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.9 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.2 percent.

Latin American airlines saw a 10.9 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.6 percent year-on-year. The load factor was 85.3 percent.

African airlines saw a 10.4 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.3 percent year-on-year. The load factor rose to 73.2 percent.

With regard to domestic markets, the US showed a slight yet surprising surprise decline, while all other key domestic markets showed stable growth.  

Meanwhile, fast-growing Chinese domestic demand is being met with increased use of wide-body aircraft.

Things to consider 

IATA director-general Willie Walsh remarked that while continued strong and stable demand is good news, the global aviation sector also needs to consider the steady improvement in load factors as this shows what a great job the industry is doing in flying people more efficiently.

Walsh added: “Average seat factors have risen from around 67 percent in the 1990’s to over 83 percent today. Politicians thinking of trying to tax passengers off planes to reduce emissions would do well to note this. Even if fewer people fly because taxes make it too expensive, it doesn’t automatically mean reduced emissions because the planes will still fly, just with fewer passengers. That would reverse decades of hard won progress. We need to see the planes full to generate the economic and social benefits of travel with the most minimal emissions possible.”