India’s domestic flights have achieved a remarkable passenger load factor of 86.4% in 2024, surpassing the US and China, which rank second and third respectively, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The country’s fast-growing aviation sector carried 163 million passengers on domestic flights during 2024, as per figures compiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
India’s passenger load factor of 86.4% is the highest among all domestic markets, the IATA report states. The corresponding figures for the US and China were 84.1% and 83.2%, respectively. Brazil, with a passenger load factor of 81.9%, ranked fourth, followed closely by Australia (81.8%) and Japan (78%).
Globally, both domestic and international full-year demand reached record highs for passenger numbers and load factors. International full-year traffic in 2024 increased by 13.6% compared to 2023, with capacity rising by 12.8%. Total full-year traffic in 2024, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), rose by 10.4% compared to 2023, which was 3.8% above pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up by 8.7% in 2024. The overall load factor reached 83.5%, a record for full-year traffic, according to the IATA report.
December 2024 was a strong finish to the year, with overall demand rising by 8.6% year-on-year, and capacity growing by 5.6%. International demand rose by 10.6%, and domestic demand by 5.5%. The December load factor reached 84%, a record for the month.
“2024 made it absolutely clear that people want to travel. With 10.4% demand growth, travel reached record numbers domestically and internationally. Airlines met that strong demand with record efficiency. On average, 83.5% of all seats on offer were filled — a new record high, partially attributable to the supply chain constraints that limited capacity growth. Aviation growth reverberates across societies and economies at all levels through jobs, market development, trade, innovation, exploration, and much more,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Looking ahead to 2025, Walsh noted that there is every indication that demand for travel will continue to grow, albeit at a moderated pace of 8.0%, more aligned with historical averages. “The desire to partake in the freedom that flying makes possible brings some challenges into sharp focus,” he observed.
In this context, Walsh mentioned, “The tragic accident in Washington last night reminds us that safety needs our continuous efforts. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We will never cease our work to make aviation ever safer.”
India’s aviation sector continues to soar, setting new benchmarks in passenger load factors and demonstrating resilience and growth amidst global uncertainties.
