African airlines saw a 12.4% year-on-year increase in demand for air passenger travel in the month of November 2024, the International Air Travel Association (IATA) has stated .
There was also increased capacity by 6.0% which raised the average passenger load factor by +4.1 percentage points to 72.9%
“Over the same period, globally, the industry saw an 8.1% rise in demand for air travel, while capacity expanded by 5.7%. The record average global load factor was 83.4% in November 2024 (up +1.9 percentage points on Nov 2023) ,” IATA said in a statement released to international media .
Africa accounted for 2.1% of the total global passenger air travel market in November 2024.
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 8.1% compared to November 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.7% year-on-year. The November load factor was 83.4% (+1.9 ppt compared to November 2023), an all-time high for November.
“International demand rose 11.6% compared to November 2023. Capacity was up 8.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.4% (+2.3 ppt compared to November 2023). Strong performance by carriers in Europe and Asia-Pacific drove this double-digit expansion in demand. Domestic demand rose 3.1% compared to November 2023. Capacity was up 1.5% year-on-year and the load factor was 83.5% (+1.2 ppt compared to November 2023.)”
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“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 ppts and load factors are at record levels. Airlines are missing out on opportunities to better serve customers, modernize 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,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
