IATA has released data for November’s global passenger demand, which shows that total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 8,1% compared with November 2023.
African airlines saw a 12,4% year-on-year increase in demand.
Global total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 5,7% year-on-year, while African airlines’ capacity increased by 6%.
The global industry's load factor reached 83,4% in November (a 1,9 percentage point increase compared with November 2023), an all-time high for November.
African airlines’ load factor rose to 72,9% (a 4,1 percentage point increase).
“November was another month of strong growth in the demand for air travel with an overall expansion of 8,1%. The month was also another reminder of the supply chain issues that are preventing airlines from getting the aircraft they need to meet growing demand. Capacity growth is lagging demand by 2,4 percentage points and load factors are at record levels,” said Willie Walsh, IATA DG.
“Airlines are missing out on opportunities to better serve customers, modernise their products and improve their environmental performance because aircraft are not being delivered on time. The 2025 New Year’s resolution for the aerospace manufacturing sector must be finding a fast and durable solution for their supply chain issues,” Walsh concluded.