Global air passenger numbers reached a record high in 2024, according to the latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.

Total Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) increased 10.4% year-on-year, exceeding 2019’s record figures by 3.8%.  Asia Pacific airlines were a primary driver of this growth, contributing over half of the total passenger traffic increase. The global Passenger Load Factor (PLF) also reached a record 83.5% for the year.

International passenger traffic grew by 13.6% despite airspace restrictions. Strong domestic market growth in China (8.5% increase) and India (7.6% increase, driven by low-cost carriers) were another significant driver.

Other domestic market growth included Australia, Japan, and Brazil. Regionally, Asia Pacific airlines led with a 16.9% RPK increase, followed by Africa at 13.2%. North American airlines saw a 4.6% increase.

While some international RPK remained 8.7% below 2019 levels, overall international RPK surpassed 2019 levels by 0.5%. Network changes, including increased traffic through Middle Eastern hubs, were observed.

Traffic between Europe and the Middle East was 11.9% higher than the 2019 record. Domestic RPK increased 5.7% and 9.7% compared to 2023 and 2019, respectively. China’s RPK was 20.2% higher than in 2019. In December 2024, US RPK increased 6.4% year-on-year.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said the numbers “made it absolutely clear that people want to travel.”

“Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. On average, 83.5% of all seats on offer were filled—a new record high, partially attributable to the supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth. Aviation growth reverberates across societies and economies at all levels through jobs, market development, trade, innovation, exploration, and much more,” he said.

PHOTO: ROB MUNRO

2024 saw record increases in passenger traffic