IATA: March Global Air Traffic Remains Solid

March air demand as measured by revenue passenger kilometers continued to show strength, with global, domestic and particularly international markets each posting increases, according to the latest monthly report from the International Air Transport Association.

Total March global air traffic increased 13.8 percent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, was up 12.3 percent for the same period. Passenger load factor was up 1 percentage point to 82 percent.

March international demand surged 18.9 percent versus March 2023, with capacity for the month up 18.8 percent year over year. Load factor remained relatively even at 81.6 percent. Domestic traffic increased, but at a slower pace, with a 6.6 percent gain for the month versus a year prior. March domestic capacity was up 3.4 percent, with passenger load factor gaining 2.5 percentage points to 82.6 percent.

"Demand for travel is strong. And there is every indication that this should continue into the peak Northern Summer travel season," IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement. "It is critical that we have the capacity to meet this demand and ensure a hassle-free travel experience for passengers. That means making urgent progress to resolve supply-chain issues and for airports and air traffic management to be fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency."

Report continues below chart.

Asia-Pacific continued to lead March regional international traffic and capacity increases, at 38.5 percent and 37.4 percent, respectively, year over year. It also had the highest load factor increase at 0.7 percentage points to 85.6 percent. The downside is that the number of scheduled air services from China to North America only is about 16.5 percent of pre-pandemic levels, according to IATA. 

Nearly all the regions posted double-digit demand and capacity growth in March, save for Africa. While its capacity was up 11 percent year over year, demand rose 8.1 percent. Load factors were mixed, with three of the six regions posting losses, including the Middle East (down 2.1 percentage points to 77.5 percent), North America (down 0.2 percentage points to 84.7 percent) and Africa (down 1.9 percentage points to 70.3 percent).

March domestic air demand increased in each of the six markets covered in the report, with China once again leading the way, with a 17.6 percent gain year over year. Capacity increases were in the mid-single digits for four markets, with two showing declines—Brazil, down 0.1 percent versus March 2023, and Japan, down 1.7 percent. The only two countries with load-factor losses were Australia, down 1.7 percentage points to 79.8 percent, and the U.S., down 1.5 percentage points to 82.9 percent.