Total global capacity was up 6.5% year over year

Total air traffic demand was up 8% in April over the same month in 2024, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Other results included:

• Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 6.5% year on year. The April load factor was 83.6%, up 1.1 percentage points compared with April 2024.
• International demand rose 10.8% compared with April 2024. Capacity was up 8.5% year on year, and the load factor was 84.1% (up 1.7 percentage points compared with April 2024), the highest ever for April.
• Domestic demand increased 3.3% compared with April 2024. Capacity was up 3.1% year on year. The load factor was 82.7% (up 0.1 percentage point compared with April 2024).

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, said that April was “a positive month for travel.” Growth strengthened, he said, especially for international demand, which saw record load factors for the month. The return of the transatlantic market to growth, said Walsh, “is particularly encouraging.” However, he said, there are some signs of fragility of consumer and business confidence, with continued weakness in the US domestic market and a sharp fall in North American premium class travel.

North American carriers saw a 5.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 2.6% year on year, and the load factor was 83.4% (up 2.2 percentage points compared with April 2024).

As IATA convenes in New Delhi for its annual meeting, said Walsh, it is notable that Indian domestic growth is running at over 10%. The development of India’s air connectivity in recent years, he said, “has been nothing short of phenomenal, making this year’s gathering a timely and powerful reminder for all on how aviation connectivity drives growth and development.”