Global air passenger demand set to hit new record in 2024

Total annual traffic in 2024 (measured in passenger kilometres carried or RPKs) increased by 10.4% compared to 2023. This was 3.8% higher than pre-pandemic levels (2019). Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), increased by 8.7% in 2024. The overall load factor reached 83.5%, a record for annual traffic.

International traffic in 2024 increased by 13.6% compared to 2023 and capacity increased by 12.8%.

Domestic traffic for the full year 2024 increased by 5.7% compared to the previous year, while capacity expanded by 2.5%.

December 2024 was a strong end to the year, with overall demand up 8.6% year-on-year and capacity growing 5.6%. International demand increased 10.6% and domestic demand 5.5%. December load factor reached 84%, a record for the month.

“In 2024, it was abundantly clear that people want to travel. With demand growing by 10.4%, travel reached record levels domestically and internationally. Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. On average, 83.5% of all seats offered were filled – a new record, partly attributable to supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth. Aviation growth impacts societies and economies at every level through employment, market development, trade, innovation, exploration and much more,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“Looking ahead to 2025, travel demand looks set to continue to grow, albeit at a moderate pace of 8.0%, more in line with historical averages. The desire to enjoy the freedom of flight highlights a number of challenges. First, last night’s tragic accident in Washington reminds us that safety requires our continued efforts. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We will never cease in our work to make aviation ever safer.

Second, there is the firm commitment by airlines to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. While airlines invested record amounts in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) purchases in 2024, less than 0.5% of fuel needs were met with SAF. SAF is in short supply and costs need to be reduced. Governments could strengthen their national energy security and unlock this problem by prioritising the production of the renewable fuel from which SAF is derived. In addition to securing energy supplies and increasing SAF supply, diverting a fraction of the subsidies given for fossil fuel extraction to support renewable energy capacity would also boost prosperity through economic expansion and job creation,” said Walsh.

International passenger markets
Annual international traffic exceeded the previous high of 2019 by 0.5% in 2024, with growth in all regions. Capacity was 0.9% below 2019. Load factor improved by 0.5 percentage points to close at 83.2%, a record high.

For the month of December, international demand grew by 10.6%, capacity increased by 7.7% and the load factor improved by 2.2 percentage points (compared to December 2023) to 83.9%.

Asia-Pacific airlines reported a 26.0% increase in full-year 2024 international traffic compared to 2023, maintaining the strongest year-over-year rate among regions. Capacity increased 24.7% and load factor rose 0.8 percentage points to 83.8%. Despite this strong growth, growth opportunities remain high, with international RPKs remaining 8.7% below 2019 levels. December 2024 traffic increased 17.1% compared to December 2023.

European airlines' annual traffic increased by 9.7% compared to 2023. Capacity increased by 9.2% and load factor increased by 0.4 percentage points to 84.1%. In December, demand increased by 8.6% compared to the same month in 2023.

Middle Eastern airlines reported a 9.4% increase in traffic in 2024 compared to 2023. Capacity increased by 8.4% and load factor rose 0.7 percentage points to 80.8%. December demand increased by 7.7% compared to the same month in 2023.

North American airlines reported a 6.8% annual increase in traffic in 2024 compared to 2023. Capacity increased 7.4% and load factor fell -0.5 percentage points to 84.2%. December 2024 traffic increased 5.1% compared to the same period last year.

Latin American airlines reported a 14.4% increase in traffic in 2024 compared to the full year of 2023. Annual capacity increased by 14.3% and load factor increased by 0.1 percentage points to 84.8%, the highest among regions. December demand increased by 11.3% compared to December 2023.

African airlines’ annual traffic increased by 13.2% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Full-year 2024 capacity increased by 9.5% and load factor rose 2.5 percentage points to 74.5%, the lowest among regions but a record for Africa. African airlines’ December 2024 traffic increased by 12.4% compared to December 2023.

Domestic passenger markets
Annual domestic demand reached historic highs in terms of passenger numbers and load factors. The standout performer in domestic RPK in 2024 was once again China, which increased by 12.3% compared to 2023. There was stable growth in other major domestic markets. Notably, Japan achieved 3.2% growth, while capacity contracted by 0.3%. Only India had a drop in load factor (-0.6 pt), but it still achieved a load factor of 86.4%, the highest among all domestic markets.

Source: IATA.