Air passenger demand up 11% in April

Air passenger demand and total capacity was up in April 2024, according to new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 11% compared to April 2023, while total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 9.6% year-on-year (YoY). The April load factor was up one percentage point YoY to 82.4%. International demand rose 15.8% compared to April 2023; capacity was up 14.8% YoY, and the load factor improved 0.7 percentage point to 82.2%. Domestic demand rose 4% YoY compared to April 2023; capacity was up 2.1%, and the load factor was up 1.5 percentage point to 82.6%. ""Passenger demand has been growing for 36 consecutive months,"" said IATA director general Willie Walsh. ""As we enter the peak northern summer travel season, there is every reason to feel optimistic for a strong summer with airlines offering a wide range of travel options."" Asia-Pacific airlines continue to lead the way, with a 32.1% YoY increase in demand, and capacity up 29.3% and the load factor rose 1.7 percentage point to 83.7%. European carriers saw a 10.1% YoY increase in demand, while capacity increased 10%, and the load factor was up a marginal 0.1 percentage point to 83.3%. International routes from Europe have surpassed pre-COVID levels to all regions except Africa.