Middle East airline traffic increased 2.2 per cent as global demand for aviation continued to increase in October, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA released data for October 2024, showing increased passenger traffic across the world.
According to the data, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 7.1 per cent compared to October 2023.
Airline traffic increases
Middle Eastern carriers saw a 2.2 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.5 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 80.2 per cent (-0.2ppt compared to October 2023).
Meanwhile, total international capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 6.1 per cent year-on-year. The October load factor was 83.9 per cent (+0.8ppt compared to October 2023).
International demand rose 9.5 per cent compared to October 2023. Capacity was up 8.6 per cent year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.5 per cent (+0.6ppt compared to October 2023).
Domestic demand rose 3.5 per cent compared to October 2023. Capacity was up 2.0 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 84.5 per cent (+1.2ppt compared to October 2023).
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General, said: “Continued strong and stable demand is good news, but just as important is the steady improvement in load factors. It shows what a great job the industry is doing in flying people more efficiently. Average seat factors have risen from around 67 per cent in the 1990’s to over 83 per cent today.”
All regions showed growth for international passenger markets in October 2024 compared to October 2023. Europe had the highest load factors, and Africa showed a sharp increase, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls.
Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 17.5 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.2 per cent year-on-year and the load factor was 82.9 per cent (+0.3ppt compared to October 2023).
European carriers had an 8.7 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.3 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.7 per cent (+1.1ppt compared to October 2023).
North American carriers saw a 3.2 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.9 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.2 per cent (+0.3ppt compared to October 2023).
Latin American airlines saw a 10.9 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.6 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 85.3 per cent (-0.6ppt compared to October 2023).
African airlines saw a 10.4 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 5.3 per cent year-on-year. The load factor rose to 73.2 per cent (+3.4ppt compared to October 2023).
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