IATA has reported that global airlines’ total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 7.1% compared with September 2023, an all-time high for September.

Meanwhile, in September, African airlines saw an 11.9% year-on-year increase in demand.

Global total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 5.8% year-on-year, while African airlines’ capacity increased by 6.6%.

The global industry's load factor reached 83.6% in September (a percentage point increase on September 2023), while African airlines’ load factor rose to 76% (a 3.6 percentage point increase).

Willie Walsh, IATA DG, said the year’s peak travel season ending with all-time high demand was good news for passengers and the global economy, but cautioned that airlines’ success story was bringing challenges.

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

“Airlines are making significant investments to achieve nett 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,” said Walsh.