Middle Eastern airlines see 9.6% year-on-year increase in June passenger demand: IATA

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 9.6% year-on-year increase in passenger demand, data for June released by International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shown.

Capacity increased 9.4% year-on-year and the load factor was 79.7% (+0.1ppt compared to June 2023).

Total (global) demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 9.1% compared to June 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 8.5% year-on-year.

The June load factor was 85.0% (+0.5 percentage points (ppt) compared to June 2023).

International demand rose 12.3% compared to June 2023. Capacity was up 12.7% year-on-year and the load factor improved to 85.0% (-0.3ppt on June 2023).

Domestic demand rose 4.3% compared to June 2023; capacity was up 2.1% year-on-year and the load factor was 85.0% (+1.7ppt compared to June 2023).

Domestic markets:

Domestic demand increased in June, with solid growth in most key markets, bar Japan and Australia. Brazil posted the largest gain with 7.6% year-on-year growth.

Year-on-year June domestic ticket sales for July and August travel dipped -0.9%, pointing to a gradual moderation in demand back to pre-pandemic growth rates.

IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh said, “Demand grew across all regions as the peak Northern summer travel season began in June. And with overall capacity growth lagging demand we saw a very strong average load factor of 85% achieved in both domestic and international operations. Operating with such high load factors is both good and challenging. It makes it even more important for all the stakeholders to operate with equal levels of efficiency to minimise delays and get travellers to their destinations on schedule.

“As the Olympic Games unfold in Paris there is pride across the aviation industry for its continuing role in supporting the Olympic story by bringing many of the athletes, fans, and officials together. It is a great reminder of how aviation transforms our very big world into a global community. We wish France every success as the host of the games and cheer all the athletes who will demonstrate the best of human endeavour over the next weeks.”