Middle East airlines see 4.4% rise in...

"Every flight creates more jobs and trade," says IATA Director-General

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 4.4% year-on-year increase in demand for September 2024, new data reveals.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the capacity of the region’s carriers increased 4.6% year-on-year, while the load factor – the percentage of available seating capacity that has been filled with passengers – of 81.4% is a decline of just 0.1% compared to September 2023.

IATA’s Director-General Willie Walsh said: "The year’s peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high. This is good news not just for passengers but also for the global economy.

“Every flight creates more jobs and trade. But the air travel success story is bringing challenges. We will soon face a capacity crunch in some regions, which threatens to curtail these economic and social benefits.”

Globally, all regions showed growth for international passenger markets year-on-year.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 18.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.7% year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6% (+0.5% compared to September 2023).

European carriers saw a 7.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.9% (+0.2% compared to September 2023).

Carriers out of North America saw a 0.5% increase in demand. Capacity increased 1.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.4% (-1.1% compared to September 2023).

Those in Latin America saw a 12.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 13.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.3% (-1.1% compared to September 2023).

For more information, visit www.iata.org

FIND OUT MORE