Total air travel demand in March was up 13.8% over 2023, according to research from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 12.3% year on year. The March load factor was 82% (up 1 percentage point compared with March 2023).
International demand rose 18.9% compared with March 2023; capacity was up 18.8% year on year, and the load factor improved to 81.6% (up 0.1 percentage point over March 2023).
Domestic demand rose 6.6% compared with March 2023; capacity was up 3.4% year on year; and the load factor was 82.6% (up 2.5 percentage points compared with March 2023).
North American carriers saw a 14.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 14.8% year on year, and the load factor fell to 84.7% (down 0.2 percentage point compared with March 2023).
Willie Walsh, director general, said demand for travel is strong, and there is every indication that this should continue into the peak northern summer travel season. It is critical, he said, that the industry have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers.
That means, said Walsh, making urgent progress to resolve supply chain issues and for airports and air traffic management to be fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency. While airlines are prepared for customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, he said, “they are fed up of bearing the cost when delays and cancellations are the result of poor preparation in other parts of the value chain.”
