June international air demand and capacity each were up by double-digit percentages year over year, which contributed to high single-digit percentage increases for overall global demand and capacity, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Total June international demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometers, was up 12.3 percent year over year, with capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, up 12.7 percent for the period. The international load factor decreased 0.3 percentage points to 85 percent.
June domestic traffic was up 4.3 percent versus June 2023, with capacity up 2.1 percent year over year. The domestic load factor also was 85 percent, representing a 1.7 percentage point increase.
Overall, total global demand increased 9.1 percent compared with June 2023, with capacity up 8.5 percent for the same period.
“Demand grew across all regions as the peak Northern summer travel season began in June,” IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement. “And with overall capacity growth lagging demand, we saw a very strong average load factor of 85 percent achieved in both domestic and international operations. Operating with such high load factors is both good and challenging. It makes it even more important for all the stakeholders to operate with equal levels of efficiency to minimize delays and get travelers to their destinations on schedule.”
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Africa was the regional market with the highest total demand growth in June, at 16.2 percent year over year, followed by Asia-Pacific at 12.5 percent. Europe, Latin America and the Middle East each grew between 8 percent and 10 percent for the period. Total North America traffic was up 5.4 percent compared with June 2023. Capacity growth for each region was between 5.8 percent and 9.5 percent, according to IATA.
For June international demand, Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America each reported double-digit year-over-year growth rates. Europe and the Middle East exceeded 9 percent increases for the period, while North America saw demand increase 6.6 percent. Capacity increases were the highest in Asia-Pacific at 22.9 percent, followed by Latin America at 15.6 percent.
Domestic market demand growth rates in June were more subdued than international. Brazil had the highest increase with traffic up 7.6 percent year over year. Australia and Japan reported demand declines of 1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. India had the highest June capacity increase, at 9.6 percent compared with June 2023. Australia, China and Japan posted capacity declines for the period.
