by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 11:25 AM ET, Thu January 30, 2025
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) latest air traffic data from December 2024 and the full-year 2024 show that passenger demand rose 10.4 percent from 2023 and was higher than the pre-pandemic average from 2019.
Full-year air traffic demand is measured by revenue passenger kilometers. It was 3.8 percent higher than in pre-pandemic times, with capacity 8.7 percent higher. Annual load factor reached a record-high in 2024, with 83.5 percent of seats filled.
International travel increased 13.6 percent from 2023, growing twice as fast as domestic travel, which increased 5.7 percent. International air travel grew 0.5 percent from 2019 in 2024 with record load factor.
The Asia-Pacific region saw the biggest increase in international travel, with a 26 percent growth from 2023, largely in part due to the region’s slower post-pandemic reopening. In 2024, this region saw a great increase in travel demand. Still, international travel remains 8.7 percent below 2019 levels, a strong indicator that the region has yet to fully recover from the pandemic.
In Europe, airlines reported 9.7 percent increase in traffic, the Middle East saw a 9.4 percent increase and North American carriers reported a 6.8 percent increase from 2023. Latin America and Africa saw some of the most growth, with 14.4 percent and 13.2 percent increases from the year prior.
December saw an increase in demand for air travel as travelers visited warm-weather destinations and celebrated the holidays with loved ones. Demand rose 8.6 percent from December 2023, with international demand rising 10.6 percent and domestic demand increasing 5.5 percent.
“Looking to 2025, there is every indication that demand for travel will continue to grow, albeit at a moderated pace of 8.0 percent that is more aligned with historical averages,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “The desire to partake in the freedom that flying makes possible brings some challenges into sharp focus. First, the tragic accident in Washington last night reminds us that safety needs our continuous efforts. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We will never cease our work to make aviation ever safer.”
“Second is the airlines’ firm commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Walsh continued. “ While airlines invested record amounts in purchases of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in 2024, less than 0.5 percent of fuel needs were met with SAF. SAF is in short supply and costs must come down."
"Governments could fortify their national energy security and unblock this problem by prioritizing renewable fuel production from which SAF is derived," continued Walsh. "In addition to securing energy supplies and increasing the SAF supply, diverting a fraction of the subsidies given for fossil fuel extraction to support renewable energy capacity would also boost prosperity through economic expansion and job creation.”
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
