No, you’re not imagining it. Planes are full wherever you go. And it seems the summer travel season is getting longer. The International Air Travel Association reports total global air passenger demand in September, 2024 was up 7.1% over the year-before period, marking an all-time high for the month.

“The year’s peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high. This is good news not just for passengers but also for the global economy. Every flight creates more jobs and trade,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

More highlights from the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) September 2024 data:

• Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.8% year-on-year.

• The September load factor was 83.6% (+1.0ppt compared to September 2023).

• International demand rose 9.2% compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 9.1% year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.8% (+0.1ppt compared to September 2023). 

• Domestic demand rose 3.7% compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 0.7% year-on-year and the load factor was 83.3% (+2.4ppt compared to September 2023.)

IATA Director General Willie Walsh. (Photo Credit: International Air Transport Association Media)

IATA’s Walsh says the air travel success story is not without its challenges.

“We will soon face a capacity crunch in some regions which threatens to curtail these economic and social benefits. Governments will face a choice: lose out to more dynamic nations who value global connectivity, or forge a consensus for sustainable growth.”

Walsh says airlines are making significant investments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“That needs to be accompanied by an equally active political vision, backed-up by actions, to ensure we have efficient and sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity to meet the needs of citizens and businesses to travel,” he added.

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