Quantcast

IATA reports global passenger demand up by double digits in May

Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
Airlines not switching quickly enough to green jet fuel, study says
Alaska Airlines tech issue briefly grounds planes in Seattle, disrupts bookings on Cyber Monday
US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’
Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat
Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger
US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?
Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?
British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown
Delta Airlines Will Start Serving Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Next Month
United Sees Nearly 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets
Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al
Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Spirit Airlines delays release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Delta investigating after plane’s nose mysteriously suffered damage
What Elon Musk's Starlink means for airlines
CAP OFF Major twist in Dublin Airport passenger cap row as High Court pauses decision in victory for airlines next summer season
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
IATA reports global passenger demand up by double digits in May
Webp 2nvxaggxwte0so7bi7pckq6ojw03
Rebecca Kanable Assistant Editor | AviationPros

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2024 global passenger demand, revealing a 10.7% increase in total demand compared to May 2023. Capacity rose by 8.5% year-on-year, and the load factor reached a record high of 83.4%, up 1.7 percentage points from the previous year.

International demand saw a significant rise of 14.6% compared to May 2023, with capacity increasing by 14.1%. The load factor for international flights improved to 82.8%, an increase of 0.3 percentage points year-on-year. Domestic demand grew by 4.7%, with a slight capacity increase of 0.1%. The domestic load factor was recorded at 84.5%, up by 3.8 percentage points from May 2023.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, stated, "Strong demand for travel continues with airlines posting a 10.7% year-on-year increase in travel for May." He highlighted that airlines filled a record-breaking 83.4% of their seats in May and noted the challenges faced by air navigation service providers (ANSPs), especially in Europe and the US, where significant delays were reported.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

In terms of regional performance for international passenger markets:

- Asia-Pacific airlines led with a substantial year-on-year demand increase of 27%. Capacity increased by 26%, and the load factor rose to 81.6%.

- European carriers experienced an 11.7% rise in demand with an equivalent capacity growth of 11.3%. The load factor slightly increased to 84.7%.

- Middle Eastern airlines saw a demand growth of 9.7%, with capacity rising by 9%. Their load factor increased to 80.7%.

- North American carriers had an increase in demand by 8.1%, but despite a capacity rise of 9.7%, the load factor fell to 84%.

- Latin American airlines observed a strong growth of 15.9% in demand, with capacity climbing by 14.3%. Their load factor reached the highest among regions at 85.1%.

- African airlines recorded a demand increase of 14.1%, with capacity up by only 8%. The load factor improved significantly to reach its highest point at this time, although still lower than other regions at just over half.

Domestic markets showed stable growth patterns, notably influenced by China's post-Labor Day holiday surge while Japan saw a decline potentially due to low business and consumer confidence.

Walsh emphasized that "Airlines are doing everything they can to ensure smooth journeys for all travelers over the peak northern summer period," but also pointed out that ANSP performance remains critical for efficient operations.

### Breakline ###

### Headline ###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group (FFG) has filed charges against UNITE HERE Local 11 with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing the union of bad faith bargaining during ongoing labor negotiations.

Apr 4, 2025

Air India has announced the resumption of its operations from Bangkok, maintaining its schedule following a devastating earthquake that resulted in significant loss of life.

Apr 4, 2025

Lufthansa has announced the launch of codeshare flights with ITA Airways, expanding travel options across more than 100 European routes.

Apr 4, 2025

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced the addition of six new destinations to its 2025 flight schedule.

Apr 4, 2025

Fuel efficiency is becoming increasingly significant in the aviation sector, affecting economic savings and environmental impacts.

Apr 4, 2025

The Pilatus PC-24, a light business jet from Swiss manufacturer Pilatus Aviation, is notable for its performance and versatility, combining capabilities often seen in larger aircraft.

Apr 4, 2025