Record passenger flights by Chinese operators in first quarter

Chinese operators flew a record 1.37 million commercial passenger flights in the first quarter of 2024, marking a substantial increase of 32% from 1.04 million in the first quarter 2023. It is also a considerable increase over pre-pandemic's 1.18 million passenger flights in the first quarter of 2019. IBA's data also found that Chinese operator capacity, measured in passenger available seat kilometres (ASKs), was up 9% over first quarter 2019 levels. Looking globally, there was 8.11 million commercial passenger flights in the first quarter 2024, up 10% year-on-year (YoY). International flights grew 19% YoY, while domestic flights were a modest 6% increase. Global capacity had mostly remained above pre-pandemic levels. In March 2024, capacity had doubled over March 2019 levels. In particular, Africa, Latin America, and North America were leading the charge with 110-115% increase when comparing the same periods. Capacity from other regions were ""broadly at 2019 levels,"" IBA analysis said.