Global air passenger traffic increased 11% in April compared to the fourth month of 2023, with total capacity growing 9.6% and a load factor of 82.4%, up one percentage point, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
This new increase means that passenger demand reaches 36 consecutive months growinghighlighted the director general of IATA, Willie Walsh, while foreseeing a peak season “optimistic” for a “strong” summer with airlines offering a wide range of travel options.
So, National air passenger transport grew by 4% compared to the previous year’s figures, while in the international market it increased by 15.8%.
By zones, International traffic for Asia-Pacific airlines increased the most in April, with 32% more compared to 2023. Capacity grew by 29.3% and the load factor rose 1.7 percentage points, to 83.7%.
On the part of European operators, their international traffic grew by 10.1% compared to the previous year, while capacity increased by 10% and the load factor was 83.3%.
Besides, Middle Eastern airlines recorded a 14.2% increase in demand in April 2024, while North American and Latin American airlines grew 6.5% and 14.5%, respectively. In Africa, airline traffic was 15.5% higher last year.
In the domestic market it increased at a slower pace in April. China’s growth rate moderated to 4.2%, reflecting the end of the holiday wave, while Japan’s almost flat performance is explained by the end of the fiscal year and the beginning of the spring school holidays, according to Europa Press.
On the other hand, Air cargo demand data also reflects a good start to 2024 with an increase of 11.1% in April ccompared to the same period in 2023. This is the fifth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year demand growth.
In this regard, the director general of IATA has highlighted that, although many economic uncertainties persist, it seems that The roots of air cargo’s strong performance are deepening.
“In recent months, air cargo demand has grown even as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicated a possible contraction,” Walsh added.
