Softness is attributed to disruptions around military conflict in Middle East

Air travel demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 2.6% in June compared with June 2024, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was also up 3.4% year on year. The June load factor was 84.5% (down 0.6 percentage points compared with June 2024).

International demand rose 3.2% compared with June 2024. Capacity was up 4.2% year on year, and the load factor was 84.4% (down 0.8 percentage points compared with June 2024).

Domestic demand increased 1.6% compared with June 2024. Capacity was up 2.1% year on year. The load factor was 84.7% (down 0.4 percentage points compared with June 2024).

Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, said, “In June, demand for air travel grew by 2.6%. That’s a slower pace than we have seen in previous months and reflects disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East.”

“With demand growth lagging the 3.4% capacity expansion, load factors dipped 0.6 percentage points from their all-time record-high levels,” said Walsh. He continued, “At 84.5% globally, however, load factors are still very strong.”

Walsh said that with a modest 1.8% capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs.