(Finance) – International air transport numbers are growing. In September, total demand, measured in passenger-kilometers (RPK), increased 7.1% compared to September 2023, reaching an all-time high for that month. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased by 5.8% compared to the previous year. The load factor in September was 83.6% (+1% compared to September 2023). International demand increased 9.2% compared to September 2023. Capacity increased 9.1% year-on-year and load factor increased to 83.8% (+0.1% compared to September 2023) . Domestic demand increased by 3.7% compared to September 2023. Capacity increased by 0.7% compared to the previous year and the load factor was 83.3% (+2.4% compared to September 2023). These are the data provided by Iata, the International Air Transport Association.“The high travel season of the year,” he said Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA – ended with demand at historic highs. This is good news not only for passengers, but also for the global economy. Every flight creates more jobs and trade. But the success story of air travel is bringing with it challenges. We will soon face a capacity gap in some regions that threatens to reduce these economic and social benefits. Governments will face a choice: lose to more dynamic nations that value global connectivity, or build a consensus for sustainable growth. Airlines are making significant investments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This must be accompanied by an equally active policy vision, supported by action, to ensure efficient and sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity to satisfy the travel needs of citizens and businesses”.
The data on freight transport is also very positive. Also in September – according to IATA data – total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 9.4% compared to September 2023 levels (10.5% for international operations) for a 14th month consecutive growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), increased by 6.4% compared to September 2023 (8.1% for international operations). This achievement was largely tied to growth in international belly-up capacity, which increased 10.3%, extending the trend of double-digit annual capacity growth to 41 consecutive months.
“September’s performance – he commented Walsh – brought further good news for the air cargo markets. With growth of 9.4% year-over-year, cargo volumes continued to set all-time highs for demand. Yields are also improving, up 11.7% from 2023 and 50% from 2019 levels. All of this points to a strong finish to the current year. As for long-term trends, the air cargo world will be closely monitoring the outcome of the US elections for guidance on the evolution of US trade policy.”