India’s domestic flights achieved a passenger load factor of 86.4 percent in 2024, the highest globally, surpassing the US (84.1 percent) and China (83.2 percent), which ranked second and third, respectively, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Brazil secured the fourth position with a load factor of 81.9 percent, followed closely by Australia at 81.8 percent and Japan at 78 percent.
Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) shows that India’s aviation sector witnessed 163 million passengers boarding domestic flights in 2024.
Globally both domestic and international full-year demand reached record highs for passenger numbers and load factors.
The international full-year traffic in 2024 increased 13.6 per cent compared to 2023, and capacity rose 12.8 per cent.
The total full-year traffic in 2024 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 10.4 per cent compared to 2023.
This was 3.8 per cent above pre-pandemic (2019) levels.
Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 8.7 per cent in 2024.
The overall load factor reached 83.5 per cent, a record for full-year traffic, according to the IATA report.
It also points out that December 2024 was a strong finish to the year with overall demand rising 8.6 per cent year-on-year, and capacity grew by 5.6 per cent.
International demand rose by 10.6 per cent and domestic demand by 5.5 per cent.
The December load factor reached 84 per cent, which is a record for the month.
“2024 made it absolutely clear that people want to travel. With 10.4 per cent demand growth, travel reached record numbers domestically and internationally. Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency.
“On average, 83.5 per cent of all seats on offer were filled — a new record high, partially attributable to the supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth.
“Aviation growth reverberates across societies and economies at all levels through jobs, market development, trade, innovation, exploration, and much more,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“Looking to 2025, there is every indication that demand for travel will continue to grow, albeit at a moderated pace of 8.0 per cent that is more aligned with historical averages.
“The desire to partake in the freedom that flying makes possible brings some challenges into sharp focus,” he observed.
In this context Walsh said, “The tragic accident in Washington last night reminds us that safety needs our continuous efforts. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We will never cease our work to make aviation ever safer.”
(IANS)
