African airlines registered a 13.2 percent increase in passenger traffic in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The growth was attributed to rising travel demand, which led to a 9.5 percent increase in capacity. During the period, the load factor—measuring seat occupancy—rose by 2.5 percentage points to 74.5 percent.
Globally, air traffic grew by 10.4 percent in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2019 by 3.8 percent. Airline capacity expanded by 8.7 percent during the year.
“2024 made it absolutely clear that people want to travel. With 10.4 percent demand growth, travel reached record numbers domestically and internationally. Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. On average, 83.5 percent of all available seats were filled, a new record high, partially attributable to supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.
Asia recorded the highest growth in international traffic, rising 26 percent, with capacity up 24.7 percent and 83.8 percent of seats filled.
European airlines saw 9.7 percent growth in traffic, with a 9.2 percent rise in capacity, while Middle Eastern carriers reported a 9.4 percent increase in passenger numbers as capacity grew by 8.4 percent.
In North America, annual traffic rose 6.8 percent, though capacity increased 7.4 percent, leading to a 0.5 percentage point drop in load factor to 84.2 percent.
Latin American airlines saw a 14.4 percent rise in traffic, with capacity expanding by 14.3 percent.
IATA expects travel demand to continue growing in 2025, though at a more moderate pace of 8 percent, aligning with historical trends.
“The desire to partake in the freedom that flying makes possible brings some challenges into sharp focus,” Walsh added.
