While African airlines set a regional record for passenger load factor in 2024, they still only use less than half of their available air cargo capacity, according to the full-year data released earlier this week by the International Air Transport Association (Iata).
Iata represents about 340 airlines comprising more than 80% of global air traffic, and its director-general Willie Walsh described 2024 as a record year for air travel.
Total full-year global passenger traffic in 2024 rose 10.4% compared to 2023, 3.8% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The overall global passenger load factor reached 83.5%, a record for full-year traffic. Full-year global cargo demand for 2024 increased 11.3% compared to 2023 and exceeded the record volumes set in 2021. Airline cargo is benefiting from rising e-commerce demand in the US and Europe amid ongoing capacity limits in ocean shipping.
African airlines had a strong 2024 with growth in passenger and cargo demand, according to Walsh. Iata regards air cargo as a useful barometer of intra-regional and global trade and economic performance. African airlines’ passenger demand was up 13.2% year on year in 2024 and capacity expanded 9.5%. Their load factor reached 74.5%, a record high for Africa as a region, though still the lowest of all the regions in the world.
The cargo demand for African airlines grew 8.5% year on year in 2024 and they managed to increase their cargo capacity by 13.6%. Yet, they only achieved a 41.8% cargo load factor — therefore, less than half of the available capacity. In 2024, Africa accounted for 2.0% of the total global air cargo market.
“[Globally] travel reached record numbers domestically and internationally. Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. Aviation growth reverberates across societies and economies,” Walsh said.
“There is every indication that demand for travel will continue to grow, albeit at a moderated pace of 8.0% that is more aligned with historical averages.” He added the recent plane crash in Washington was a reminder that safety needed continuous efforts from the industry.
As for global air cargo, Walsh said economic fundamentals pointed to another good year in 2025 with oil prices on a downward trajectory and trade continuing to grow despite challenges to adapt to unfolding geopolitical shifts. Walsh also pointed out that airlines had made a firm commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
However, while airlines invested record amounts in purchases of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in 2024, less than 0.5% of fuel needs were met with SAF.
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