IATA: Passenger Demand Up 10.7% in May

Strong demand for travel continues with airlines posting a 10.7 percent year-on-year increase in trips for May.

According to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), total capacity was up 8.5 percent year-on-year with airlines filling 83.4 percent of their seats, a record for the month.

“With May ticket sales for early peak-season travel up nearly 6 percent, the growth trend shows no signs of abating,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.

International demand rose 14.6 percent compared to May 2023. Capacity was up 14.1 percent year-on-year and the load factor improved to 82.8 percent (+0.3ppt on May 2023).

Domestic demand rose 4.7 percent compared to May 2023; capacity was up 0.1 percent year-on-year and the load factor was 84.5 percent (+3.8ppt compared to May 2023).

Photo source: IATA

According to IATA, all regions (Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, Latin America and Africa) showed strong growth for international passenger markets in May 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. The load factor increased in all regions except North America.

“Airlines are doing everything they can to ensure smooth journeys for all travelers over the peak northern summer period,” said Walsh.

IATA on air traffic control delays

Photo source: IATA

However, IATA’s director general said airlines’ expectations of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are “already being tested” and pointed out the 5.2 million minutes of air traffic control delays in Europe even before the peak season began.

“Ιt 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,” Walsh underlined.