Global air traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, increased 10.7 percent in May from a year earlier, maintaining double-digit growth, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total capacity in May, measured in seat-kilometres, was 8.5% higher than May 2023.
International demand remained strong in May, up 14.6% year-on-year, with capacity up 14.1%. Domestic demand increased 4.7% from May 2023, with capacity up 0.1%.
According to IATA, the global load factor in May was 83.4%, up 1.7 percentage points from a year ago and the highest on record for the month of May.
International flight load factor increased 0.3 percentage points to 82.8%, while domestic flight load factor increased 3.8 percentage points to 84.5%.
“Ticket sales for the early peak season in May increased by nearly 6 percent and the growth trend shows no signs of slowing,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh said in a statement. “Airlines are working hard to ensure smooth travel for all travellers during the peak northern hemisphere summer period.”
Regionally, all markets saw growth in international demand and capacity. According to IATA, Asia Pacific continued to lead international demand growth, with Asian airlines making the largest contribution to overall industry growth in May, accounting for 42% of the year-over-year increase. The region, along with Africa, Europe and Latin America, recorded double-digit traffic growth from May 2023.
The Middle East and North America followed with high single-digit increases. Latin America had the highest load factor this month at 85.1%, followed by Europe at 84.7%.
Domestic air travel demand also increased, but at a slower rate except in Japan, where demand fell 1.8% from a year earlier.
Domestic capacity changes in May were mixed, with India reporting the largest increase of 8.2% compared to May 2023, followed by the United States with a 5.3% increase. Brazil, China and Japan reported decreases in capacity. India also had the highest load factor at 88.6%, followed by the United States at 86.7%.
Despite these achievements, “our expectations of air traffic control service providers are already being tested,” Walsh said. “With 5.2 million minutes of air traffic control delays in Europe even before peak season began, it’s clear that European ANSPs have unmet challenges. And 32,000 flight delays over Memorial Day weekend in May show that challenges remain in the U.S. as well.”
