IATA: July Passenger Demand Hit an All-time High for Industry

July was another positive month for the airline industry and all regions, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Thursday.

According to data for July 2024, global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 8.0 percent compared to July 2023.

Total capacity in July, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 7.4 percent year-on-year and the load factor was 86.0 percent (+0.5ppt compared to July 2023).

“Passenger demand hit an all-time high for the industry and in all regions except Africa, despite significant disruption caused by the CrowdStrike IT outage,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.

Moreover, international demand rose 10.1 percent compared to July 2023. Capacity was up 10.5 percent year-on-year and the load factor fell to 85.9 percent (-0.3ppt compared to July 2023).

Domestic demand rose 4.8 percent compared to July 2023. Capacity was up 2.8 percent year-on-year and the load factor was 86.1 percent (+1.7ppt compared to July 2023).

IATA said all regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in July 2024 compared to the same month in 2023, with signs that many markets are returning to long-term growth trends after the post-pandemic bounce back.

Source: IATA

Manufacturers, suppliers must keep air travel accessible, affordable

According to Walsh, as the peak summer travel season ends, it becomes clear how much people rely on air travel.

“As the mix of travelers shift from leisure to business, aviation’s many roles are evident—reuniting families, enabling exploration, and powering commerce. People need and want to fly. And they are doing that in great numbers. Load factors are at the practicable maximum.”

However, IATA’s director general stressed that ongoing supply chain problems are making it difficult to meet demand. He highlighted the “pressing need” for manufacturers and suppliers to keep air travel accessible and affordable for everyone.