By the numbers: Global air passenger demand soars in March

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data reflecting a robust increase in global passenger demand for March.

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), surged by 13.8 per cent compared to March 2023.

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), rose by 12.3 per cent year-on-year.

The March load factor reached 82 per cent, marking a notable 1.0 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year.

Read: Global airlines poised for 2.7% jump in profit in 2024, says IATA

Passenger demand: Regional breakdown stats from IATA

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 10.8 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. The load factor fell to 77.5 per cent compared to March 2023.

Demand for air travel in the Asia-Pacific region witnessed an impressive 38.5 per cent year-on-year increase.

Capacity also rose by 37.4 per cent, with the load factor reaching 85.6 per cent, the highest among all regions.

European carriers experienced an 11.6 per cent year-on-year increase in demand, with a load factor of 79.9 per cent.

North American carriers saw a 14.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand, albeit with a slight decrease in the load factor to 84.7per cent.

Latin American airlines recorded a significant 19.7 per cent year-on-year increase in demand, accompanied by a rise in the load factor to 84.3 per cent.

African airlines experienced an 8.1 per cent year-on-year increase in demand, but the load factor fell to 70.3 per cent.
Domestic Markets:

Domestic demand

Domestic demand increased, with China leading the pack with a 17.6 per cent year-on-year growth rate.

Most domestic markets showed stable growth rates, except for Australia, which experienced a slowdown reflecting wider economic conditions in Q1.

Based on the figures, Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, highlighted the strong demand for travel and emphasised the need for capacity expansion to meet this demand efficiently. However, he also stressed the importance of addressing supply chain issues to ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers.