Total demand, measured in paying passenger kilometers (RPK), increased 13.8% compared to March 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 12.3% year-on-year. March load factor was 82.0% (+1.0 ppt compared to March 2023).
International demand rose 18.9% compared to March 2023; Capacity increased by 18.8% year-on-year and load factor improved to 81.6% (+0.1 percentage points in March 2023).
Domestic demand rose 6.6% compared to March 2023; capacity increased by 3.4% year-on-year and load factor was 82.6% (+2.5 percentage points compared to March 2023).
“Travel demand is strong. And all indications are that this should continue during the peak summer travel season in the north. It is essential that we have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers. That means moving urgently to resolve supply chain issues and to keep airports and air traffic management fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency. “While airlines are prepared to provide customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, they are tired of bearing the cost when delays and cancellations are the result of poor preparation elsewhere in the value chain,” said Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA.
Regional Breakdown - International Passenger Markets
All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in March 2024 compared to March 2023. Load factor performance was uneven, falling year-over-year in three of the six regions .
Asia-Pacific airlines continue to lead strongly, with demand up 38.5% year-on-year. Capacity increased by 37.4% year-on-year and load factor increased to 85.6% (+0.7 percentage points compared to March 2023), the highest among all regions. Major routes from Asia-Pacific show outstanding growth, although the number of scheduled air services from China to North America remains only 16.5% of pre-pandemic levels.
European airlines saw a year-on-year increase in demand of 11.6%. Capacity increased by 11.4% year-on-year and the load factor was 79.9% (only 0.1 percentage points more than in March 2023).
Middle East airlines saw a 10.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased by 13.9% year-on-year and load factor fell -2.1 percentage points to 77.5% compared to March 2023.
North American carriers experienced a 14.5% year-over-year increase in demand. Capacity increased by 14.8% year-on-year and load factor fell to 84.7% (-0.2 percentage points compared to March 2023).
Latin American airlines experienced a 19.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 18.3% year-on-year. Load factor increased to 84.3% (+0.9 percentage points compared to March 2023).
African airlines saw a year-on-year increase in demand of 8.1%. Capacity increased 11.0% year-on-year. Load factor fell to 70.3% (-1.9 percentage points compared to March 2023).
Domestic Passenger Markets
Domestic demand increased at a slower pace in March, moderating to typical pre-pandemic growth rates. China (+17.6% compared to March 2023) continued to be the leading market. Other markets showed stable growth except for Australia. Its drop in growth may reflect the broader economic slowdown in the first quarter in the country.
Source: IATA.