International traffic increase leads the way
Total air travel demand was up 5% globally in May against the same month in the previous year, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). However, the outlier region was North America, which saw a decline of 0.5% in demand, led by a 1.7% fall in the US domestic market.
In other results:
- Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was also up 5% year over year, with a May load factor of 83.4%, down 0.1 percentage point compared with May 2024.
- International flight demand rose 6.7% compared with May 2024. International capacity was up 6.4% year on year, and the load factor was 83.2% (up 0.2 percentage points compared with May 2024). This was a record load factor on international flights for May.
- North American carriers saw a 1.4% year-on-year increase in demand for international travel. Capacity increased 1.7% year on year, and the load factor was 83.8% (down 0.3 percentage points compared with May 2024).
- Domestic demand globally increased 2.1% compared with May 2024. Capacity was up 2.8% year on year. The load factor was 83.7% (down 0.5 percentage points compared with May 2024).
Willie Walsh, director general, said air travel demand growth was uneven in May. Severe disruptions in the Middle East in late June, he said, “remind us that geopolitical instability remains a challenge in some regions, as airlines maintain safe operations with minimal passenger inconvenience.”
The impact of such instability on oil prices — which remained low throughout May — is also a critical factor to monitor, said Walsh. Importantly, he said, “consumer confidence appears to be strong, with forward bookings for the peak northern summer travel season giving good reason for optimism.”
