The global airline load factor in August was a record for the month of 86.2%, up 1.6% from July, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Total August demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometers, was up 8.6% year over year. Capacity, as measured in available seat kilometers, was up 6.5% for the period over 2023.

August international demand again outpaced domestic traffic, increasing 10.6% compared with August 2023, while capacity was up 10.1% year over year. The international load factor increased 0.4 percentage points to 85.7%. Domestic air traffic increased 5.6% year over year, with capacity up 1.2%. Domestic load factor was 86.9%, up 3.6 percentage points from a year earlier.

North American carriers saw a 4.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.8% year on year, and the load factor was 88.2% (up 0.4 percentage points compared with August 2023), the highest among regions.

Willie Walsh, director general, said, “The market for air travel is hot, and airlines are doing a great job of meeting the growing demand for travel.” He said efficiency gains have driven load factors to record highs, while the 6.5% capacity increase demonstrates resilience in the face of persistent supply chain issues and deficiencies.

Air travel demand in the coming months, according to IATA, displays signs of an increased travel appetite vis-à-vis the previous year. Ticket sales for both international and domestic travel accelerated, with an average increase of 5.7%.