February air traffic as measured by revenue passenger kilometers increased by double-digit percentages year over year for global, international and domestic markets, according to the latest monthly report from the International Air Transport Association.
Total February global air demand jumped 21.5 percent compared with February 2023, with capacity up 18.7 percent for the same period. It was the first month-over-month demand increase since October 2023. After global demand came within a hair of pre-pandemic levels in January, it exceeded them in February, by 5.7 percent compared with February 2019.
The Asia-Pacific region led the February total air demand increases with traffic up 37.8 percent versus February 2023, followed by Africa with a 22.5 percent rise. Europe, the Middle East and Latin America also had double-digit percentage increases. The exception was North America, with an 8.9 percent rise year over year. Each region except North America also reported double-digit percentage capacity increases, again led by Asia-Pacific followed by Africa.
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February international demand rose 26.3 percent year over year, while capacity was up 25.5 percent. It was the first time international demand exceeded pre-pandemic levels, according to IATA, with an increase of 0.9 percent versus February 2019. Domestic air traffic increased the least of the three categories, with a 15 percent bump versus the same period last year, with capacity up 9.4 percent.
"The strong start to 2024 continued in February with all markets except North America reporting double-digit growth in passenger traffic," IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement. "There is good reason to be optimistic about the industry's prospects in 2024 as airlines accelerate investments in decarbonization, and passenger demand shows resilience in the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainties."
February international demand increased by double-digit percentage figures for each region. Asia-Pacific continued to lead "as the comeback of international travel from and to that region continued," with demand up 53.2 percent and capacity up 52.1 percent. The region, however, continues to lag other geographic areas in the post-pandemic recovery, according to IATA.
China once again reported the largest uptick in February domestic traffic, gaining 35.1 percent year over year, with capacity up 20.5 percent for the same period. Australia was the only other country with a double-digit percentage demand increase, at 14.9 percent. In all domestic markets, load factors were above February 2023 levels.
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