IATA: Passenger demand up 16.6% in January

Global flight passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 16.6% in January 2024, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 14.1%. Load factor increased by 1.7 percentage point to 79.9%. International demand increased by 20.8%, capacity increased by 20.9%, while load factor stood at 79.7%. Domestic demand was up 10.4% and capacity by 4.6%. Load factor increased by 4.2 percentage points to 80.2%. ""2024 is off to a strong start despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties. As governments look to build prosperity in their economies in the busiest election-year ever, it is critical that they see aviation as a catalyst for growth,"" said IATA director general Willie Walsh. ""Increased taxes and onerous regulation are a counterweight to prosperity."" The Asia Pacific region saw the highest demand increase at 31.8% in January, 2024. North American demand was at the lowest with a 6% increase in demand.