Global passenger traffic was almost 4% higher in 2024 than before he pandemic, according to international airline body IATA.
Air capacity was up almost 9% and the overall load factor (number of filled seats) reached a record 83.5%. In December, demand was up 8.6% and capacity rose 5.6%.
The biggest increase in traffic throughout 2024 was in the Asia-Pacific region, where airlines saw a 26% rise. In Europe, traffic was up almost 10% over 2023.
“2024 made it absolutely clear that people want to travel,” said IATA Director-General Willie Walsh. “Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. On average, 83.5% of all seats on offer were filled—a new record high, partially attributable to the supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth.”
He said there is ‘every indication’ that demand for travel will continue to grow in 2025, ‘albeit at a moderated pace of 8% that is more aligned with historical averages’.
However, he said the tragedy in Washington on Wednesday night reminded the industry that it needs to continually focus on safety.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected. We will never cease our work to make aviation ever safer,” he said.
Airlines also have a ‘firm commitment’ to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050, said Willie, but he pointed out that less than 0.5% of fuel used in 2024 was from sustainable sources (SAF).
“SAF is in short supply and costs must come down. Governments could fortify their national energy security and unblock this problem by prioritising renewable fuel production from which SAF is derived,” he said.
“In addition to securing energy supplies and increasing the SAF supply, diverting a fraction of the subsidies given for fossil fuel extraction to support renewable energy capacity would also boost prosperity through economic expansion and job creation.”
