The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the latest data on global passenger demand for March 2024, indicating a remarkable surge in travel activity. The report highlights the following key findings:
Passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), soared by an impressive 13.8% in March 2024 compared to the same period last year. This substantial growth is a testament to the increasing appetite for air travel worldwide.
In tandem with rising demand, total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), witnessed a substantial 12.3% year-on-year increase. This expansion in capacity has been instrumental in accommodating the growing number of passengers seeking to fly.
The load factor, a crucial indicator of airline efficiency, reached 82.0% in March 2024, marking a notable improvement of 1.0 percentage point compared to March 2023. The higher load factor signifies a more optimal utilization of available seats and reflects the industry’s efforts to enhance operational efficiency.