The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its May 2024 year-on-year analysis of the passenger air transport market. The analysis by the clearing house for more than 300 global airlines saw a 14.1 per cent year-on-year increase in demand with capacity up 8.2 per cent year-on-year. The load factor rose to 72.3 per cent (+3.7ppt compared to May 2023).
This was the fastest increase in load factor among all regions, although Africa still has the lowest load factor overall. The load factor reached a record high for May at 83.4 per cent, up 1.7 percentage points from May 2023. International demand rose 14.6 per cent, with capacity increasing by 14.1 per cent and the load factor improving to 82.8 per cent, up 0.3 percentage points. Domestic demand increased by 4.7 per cent, with capacity up 0.1 per cent and the load factor at 84.5 per cent, up 3.8 percentage points from May 2023.
“Strong travel demand continues with airlines posting a 10.7 per cent year-on-year increase in travel for May. Airlines filled 83.4 per cent of their seats, a record for the month. With May ticket sales for early peak-season travel up nearly six per cent, the growth trend shows no signs of abating. Airlines are doing everything they can to ensure smooth journeys for all travellers over the peak northern summer period.
“However, our expectations of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are already being tested. With 5.2 million minutes of air traffic control delays racked up in Europe even before the peak season begins, it is clear that Europe’s ANSPs have unresolved challenges. The 32,000 flight delays over the Memorial Day weekend in May show that challenges persist in the US too. “Airlines are accountable to their customers; ANSPs must be as well. ANSP’s performance matters to their airline customers and to millions of travellers. We all need them to do their job efficiently,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’’s Director General.
Domestic demand increased at a stable pace in May. China’s growth rate surged in line with the post-Labor Day holidays. Japan declined -1.8 per cent possibly reflecting low business and consumer confidence. Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus has emphasised the need for the removal of visa restrictions to enable the free movement of people and goods across the continent, stating that to achieve this, there is a need to work with Foreign Affairs Ministers across Africa.
He disclosed a discussion that came up at the Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference (WOCFA) conference held in faraway Johannesburg, South Africa at the weekend. This underscored the step taken by the aviation authority to make Nigeria’s airports safe and accessible by genuine tourists and travellers, alongside efforts to eliminate touting and other forms of criminal conduct around the airports.
Also speaking at the event, IATA’s Regional Vice President, Africa and Middle East, Kamil Al-Awachi called for the pursuit of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which constitutes part of FAAN’s recent programmes. Issues discussed at the sessions on July 3rd (Day 2) also focused on the recent creation of a dedicated department for cargo services in FAAN as stakeholders she emphasised the need for improvement of trade facilitation, air cargo facilities and infrastructure, cargo compliance, closer collaboration amongst African countries and stakeholders as well as cargo specialised training for stakeholders.