IATA: Hassle-free Air Travel Crucial as Demand Increases

Photo source: IATA

Ensuring airports have the capacity to meet the growing demand for air travel is crucial for the season ahead said the International Air Transport Association (IATA) this week on the back of positive data for March.

More specifically, global passenger demand in March 2024 was up by 13.8 percent compared to the same month a year ago and total capacity up 12.3 percent year-on-year.

International demand increased by 18.9 percent compared to March 2023 with capacity up by 18.8 percent year-on-year and load factor at 81.6 percent.

Domestic demand rose by 6.6 percent compared to March 2023 with capacity up by 3.4 percent year-on-year and load factor at 82.6 percent.

According to IATA, all regions reported strong growth in March with Asia-Pacific airlines leading with way again with a 38.5 percent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity grew by 37.4 percent and the load factor stood at 85.6 percent, the highest among all regions.

Airlines in Europe reported an 11.6 percent increase in demand over the same month a year earlier with capacity up by 11.4 percent year-on-year and the load factor at 79.9 percent.

Carriers in North America marked a 14.5 percent increase in demand compared to March 2023. Capacity grew by 14.8 percent year-on-year but load factor fell to 84.7 percent.

Walsh: Airports and air traffic management must be fully staffed

Photo source: IATA

“Demand for travel is strong. It is critical that we have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.

“That means making urgent progress to resolve supply chain issues and for airports and air traffic management to be fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency. While airlines are prepared for customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, they are fed-up of bearing the cost when delays and cancellations are the result of poor preparation in other parts of the value chain,” he added.