African Airlines See Record Traffic Growth in 2024, IATA Reports
Positive news for the African aviation sector! According to a recent report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), African airlines experienced a 13.2% increase in annual traffic in 2024 compared to the previous year. This signifies a notable rebound and growth in the industry, showing promising prospects for the future of air travel on the continent. For African travel agents, this data underscores the increasing demand for air travel in the region and the potential for growth within the sector.
While the annual traffic growth reached 13.2%, the total full-year traffic for 2024, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs), saw a 10.4% increase compared to 2023. This highlights a solid recovery and consistent demand for air travel across the continent. In terms of capacity, African airlines recorded a 9.5% increase, with the load factor climbing by 2.5 percentage points to 74.5%. Although this is the lowest compared to other global regions, it is a record high for the continent, indicating that African airlines are making significant strides in passenger volume and operational efficiency.
The report further details that December 2024 traffic for African airlines rose by 12.4% compared to December 2023, demonstrating a strong finish to the year. Overall, the global air traffic in 2024 increased by 10.4% compared to 2023 and was 3.8% above pre-pandemic levels of 2019. Total capacity increased by 8.7%, and the overall load factor reached a record 83.5%. This remarkable growth in global air travel reflects strong customer demand and is beneficial for the entire industry, including African airlines.
International traffic saw a substantial increase in 2024, rising by 13.6% compared to 2023, while capacity increased by 12.8%. Domestic traffic also experienced a positive trend, with a 5.7% increase compared to the prior year, and capacity expanding by 2.5%. December 2024 also showed robust growth, with overall demand rising by 8.6% year-on-year, and a record 84% load factor for the month. For travel agents, these numbers reflect the increasing opportunities in international and domestic travel markets, urging them to expand their travel offerings for both.
Other regions also experienced strong growth, with Asia-Pacific airlines leading with a 26% rise in international traffic. European carriers saw a 9.7% increase, and Middle Eastern airlines reported a 9.4% rise. North American carriers and Latin American airlines had increases of 6.8% and 14.4%, respectively. IATA’s Director-General, Willie Walsh, noted that 2024 made it "absolutely clear that people wanted to travel", with airlines meeting that demand with record efficiency. However, he also highlighted the need for improvements in safety and addressing sustainability through increased adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). These statistics and insights will help African travel agents understand market trends and make informed decisions to leverage the growth in the travel sector.
