IATA: Passenger Demand Growth Rose 3.6% in September

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) — The International Air Transport Association released on Thursday (10/30) data for September showing total global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, rose 3.6% from a year ago.

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, increased 3.7% year-over-year. The September load factor was 83.4%, down 0.1 percentage point from last year.

International demand rose 5.1% year-on-year, with capacity up 5.2% for the period. The load factor here was 83.6%, lower by 0.1 percentage point from a year ago.

Domestic demand grew 0.9% from the prior September, with capacity up 1.1%. The domestic load factor for September this year was 83% — down 0.1 percentage point from the previous year.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, noted that strong international demand was the primary engine for overall air travel growth in September, accounting for 90% of the 3.6% increase.

While capacity expansion outpaced demand growth, passenger demand remained high, with load factors holding strong at 83.4%.

“With November flight schedules indicating a 3% expansion on the previous year, airlines are gearing up for continued growth into the year-end holiday season,” Walsh added. “This is despite the severe constraints of unresolved supply chain issues.”