Middle East airline traffic increased 10.8 per cent as global demand for aviation continued to increase in March, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA released data for March 2024, showing increased across the world.
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 13.8 per cent compared to March 2023.
Airline traffic growth
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 12.3 per cent year-on-year. The March load factor was 82 per cent (+1 per cent compared to March 2023).
Middle Eastern airlines saw a 10.8 per cent year-on-year increase in demand.
Capacity increased 13.9 per cent year-on-year and the load factor fell -2.1 per cent to 77.5 per cent compared to March 2023.
International demand rose 18.9 per cent compared to March 2023; capacity was up 18.8 per cent year-on-year and the load factor improved to 81.6 per cent.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said: “Demand for travel is strong. And there is every indication that this should continue into the peak Northern Summer travel season.
“It is critical that we have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers. That means making urgent progress to resolve supply chain issues and for airports and air traffic management to be fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency.
“While airlines are prepared for customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, they are fed-up of bearing the cost when delays and cancellations are the result of poor preparation in other parts of the value chain”.
All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in March 2024 compared to March 2023.
Load factor performance was patchy, falling year-on-year in three of the six regions.
Follow us on
