African airlines report 11.9% passenger demand surge, 76% load factor in September 2024 – IATA 

African airlines experienced an 11.9% increase in passenger demand in September 2024 compared to the previous year, achieving a load factor of 76.0%.

This load factor, indicating the proportion of available seating capacity filled by paying passengers, reflects efficient seat utilization.

The demand increase, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs), demonstrates a strong recovery in Africa’s aviation sector, while capacity, represented by Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), rose by 6.6%.

This data, as reported in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) latest global passenger demand update, highlights Africa’s strengthening position in global aviation.

“African airlines saw an 11.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 6.6% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 76.0% (+3.6ppt compared to September 2023),” the report read in part.

The IATA report highlighted a broader global demand increase of 7.1% year-on-year for September 2024, with the average load factor across all regions reaching 83.6%, up 1.0 percentage points from the prior year.

Africa’s demand growth positioned it as one of the fastest-recovering regions, highlighting the continent’s growing competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.

Across other global regions, performance varied. Asia-Pacific airlines led the global recovery, achieving an 18.5% rise in passenger demand, supported by a 17.7% capacity increase and an 82.6% load factor, reflecting high demand and efficient seating utilization.

IATA’s data points to the competitive gains made by African airlines, with strong growth in passenger demand and improved seat occupancy positioning the continent well within the broader recovery of the global aviation landscape.