IATA: Passenger demand up 10.7% in May

Released data from from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for May 2024 displays an increase in total passenger demand. Highlights of the data include:

• Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 10.7% compared to May 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 8.5% year- on-year. The May load factor was 83.4% (+1.7ppt compared to May 2023), a record high for May.
• International demand rose 14.6% compared to May 2023. Capacity was up 14.1% year-on- year and the load factor improved to 82.8% (+0.3ppt on May 2023).
• Domestic demand rose 4.7% compared to May 2023; capacity was up 0.1% year-on-year and the load factor was 84.5% (+3.8ppt compared to May 2023).

“Strong demand for travel continues with airlines posting a 10.7% year-on-year increase in travel for May. Airlines filled 83.4% of their seats, a record for the month. With May ticket sales for early peak- season travel up nearly 6%, the growth trend shows no signs of abating. Airlines are doing everything they can to ensure smooth journeys for all travelers over the peak northern summer period. But our expectations of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are already being tested. With 5.2 million minutes of air traffic control delays racked up in Europe even before the peak season begins, it is clear that Europe’s ANSPs have unresolved challenges. And the 32,000 flight delays over the Memorial Day weekend in May show that challenges persist in the US too. Airlines are accountable to their customers; ANSPs must be as well. ANSP performance matters to their airline customers and to millions of travelers. We all need them to do their job efficiently,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.