KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): Total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), increased by 8.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) in August 2024 compared with August 2023, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement Thursday, it said that the total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), rose by 6.5% y-o-y.

“The August load factor was 86.2% y-o-y, up by 1.6 percentage points (ppt) compared with August 2023, a new record high,” IATA said.

It added that international demand grew by 10.6% y-o-y, while capacity increased by 10.1% y-o-y, and the load factor rose by 0.4 ppt y-o-y to 85.7%.

“Domestic demand increased 5.6% y-o-y, with capacity rising 1.2% y-o-y and the load factor was 86.9% (+3.6 ppt compared with August 2023),” said IATA.

Meanwhile, IATA director general Willie Walsh said the market for air travel is booming and airlines are doing a great job at meeting the growing demand for travel.

He said efficiency gains have driven load factors to record highs while the 6.5% capacity increase demonstrates resilience in the face of persistent supply chain issues and infrastructure deficiencies.

“Looking ahead, the continued strong demand growth signals that we could be fast approaching an infrastructure capacity crunch that would restrict connectivity and choice for passengers and businesses.

“If governments want to maximise the benefits of aviation, they must take bold decisions to ensure sufficient infrastructure capacity,” he said.

Walsh noted that in the interim, both airports and air navigation service providers need to do more with the resources they currently have, particularly, the variance in declared capacity of airports with broadly the same infrastructure needs to be resolved, with airports emulating the best performers.

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